Abbreviations and acronyms
in occupational health
In order to make communication more effective, people devise
abbreviations and acronyms. These abbreviations and acronyms become
an accepted way of communicating but people often forget that the very
abbreviations and acronyms they use to communicate more effectively
make other people feel incompetent when they do not know what they
mean. The occupational health, safety and environmental field is not
unique in this regard and members find the use of abbreviations and
acronyms confusing. This is particularly the case with abbreviations
relating to transport as found on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
A
SONJA KRUGER,
MANAGER:
DISABILITY
ASSESSMENT
DEPARTMENT,
MPF MANAGEMENT
SERVICES, AND
DR DAVID
W. STANTON,
CHAMBER OF
MINES
list of common abbreviations and acro-
and serves a co-ordinating role. The primary aim
nyms used in South Africa is given in this
is to provide leadership to the Building Industry
article. For further abbreviations and
by directing and co-ordinating activities, provid-
acronyms visit the glossary on the Association of
ing quality service, to maintain a national
Societies for Safety and Health (ASOSH) website
platform and to promote a profitable environment
(www.asosh.org).
to achieve benefits for its members and the
CONTACT DETAILS:
SONJA KRUGER,
PO BOX 44707,
LINDEN 2104
011 481 8212
community.
A
BIOH – British Institute of Occupational Hygienists
(now amalgamated with BOHS).
ACGIH – American Conference of Governmental
BOHS – British Occupational Hygiene Society.
Industrial Hygienists.
ADN – Accord relatif au transport de marchandises
C
Dangereuses par voies de Navigation intérieures (European Provisions concerning the International
CAIA – Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association.
Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Inland Waterways).
CAS Number – Chemical Abstracts Service Number.
ADNR – Accord relatif au transport de marchandises
Concise, unique means of material identification.
Dangereuses par voies de Navigation intérieures sur
CEN – Comité Européen de Normalisation (European
le Rhin (Provision concerning the Carriage of
Committee for Standardization).
Dangerous Goods on the Rhine).
CFC – Chlorofluorocarbon. Associated with damage
ADR – Accord européen relatif au transport interna-
to the Earth’s ozone layer.
tional des marchandises Dangereuses par Route
CNS – Central Nervous System.
(European Agreement concerning the international
COIDA – Compensation for Occupational Injuries
carriage of dangerous goods by road).
and Diseases Act 1993.
AIHA – American Industrial Hygiene Association.
COM – Chamber of Mines of South Africa.
ASOSH – Association of Societies for Occupational
The Chamber of Mines of South Africa is a prominent
Safety and Health. Umbrella organisation for SHE/
industry employers’ organisation, which exists to
EHS societies in South and Southern Africa. A forum
serve its members and promote their interests in
at which the various Member Societies exchange ideas
the South African mining industry.
and discuss occupational safety and health issues.
COSATU – Congress of South African Trade Unions.
AU – African Union.
COHSEF – Construction Occupational Health, Safety
& Environment Forum (This forum no longer ex-
B
ists). The Construction Industry Occupational Health
& Safety Forum strove to create an environment
BEI – Biological Exposure Indice.
which facilitated contin ual improvement, thereby
BIFSA – Building Industries Federation South Africa.
contributing to the elimination of occupational dis-
BIFSA functions as a federation of Master Builder As-
ease, injury and loss.
sociations (MBA) and Construction Industry
CPC – Chemical Protective Clothing.
Associations (CIA). It represents the national interests
CSIR – Council for Scientific and Industrial Re-
of employers in the building and allied industries
search. The premier technology and research
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SOUTHERN AFRICA
MAY/JUNE 2003
9
organisation in Africa committed to innovation,
1992 to support the transformation of the South
supporting sustainable development and economic
African health system.
growth and creating value for clients, partners and
stakeholders.
D
I
IATA – International Air Transport Association.
IATA-DGR – IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
DEAT – Department of Environmental Affairs and
ICAO – UN International Civil Aviation Organiza-
Tourism.
tion.
DENOSA – Democratic Nursing Organisation of
ICAO-TI – Technical Instructions for the Safe Trans-
South Africa.
port of Dangerous Goods by Air.
DME – Department of Minerals and Energy.
ICOH – International Commission on Occupational
DOH – Department of Health.
Health.
DOL – Department of Labour.
IDLH – Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health.
DOT – Department of Transport.
IEA – International Ergonomics Association.
DWAF – Department of Water Affairs and Forestry.
ILO – International Labour Organization. The
International Labour Organization is the UN specialised agency which seeks the promotion of social
E
justice and internationally recognised human and
labour rights. It was founded in 1919 and is the
EDL – Essential Drug List.
only surviving major creation of the Treaty of
E8hEV – Equivalent eight hour exposure value.
Versailles, which brought the League of Nations into
EINECS – European Inventory of Existing Chemi-
being, and it became the first specialised agency of
cal Substances.
the UN in 1946.
ELINICS – Supplement to EINECS.
The ILO formulates international labour stand-
ESSA – Epidemiology Society of South Africa.
ards in the form of Conventions and Recommenda-
ESSA – Ergonomics Society of South Africa.
tions setting minimum standards of basic labour
ETQA – Education and Training Quality Assurance
rights: freedom of association, the right to organ-
Body. A body accredited in terms of section 5
ise, collective bargaining, abolition of forced labour,
(1)(a)(ii) of the South African Qualifications Act No.
equality of opportunity and treatment, and other
58 of 1995, responsible for monitoring and auditing
standards regulating conditions across the entire
achievements in terms of national standards and
spectrum of work related issues.
qualifications, and to which specific functions relating
ILO CIS – ILO International Occupational Safety
to monitoring and auditing of national standards
and Health Information Centre.
and qualifications have been assigned in terms of
ILO/SAMAT – ILO Southern Africa Multidisciplinary
section 5(1)(b)(i) of the Act.
Advisory Team (MDT).
IMO – International Maritime Organization.
F
IMO/IMDG Code – IMO International Maritime
Dangerous Goods Code.
FPASA – Fire Protection Association of Southern Africa.
IOHA – International Occupational Hygiene Association.
H
IoSM – Institute of Safety Management. The Institute of Safety Management, which was established
10
HBS – Hazardous Biological Substance.
in 1952, currently has some 500 members situated
HCS – Hazardous Chemical Substance.
in 12 branches around South Africa. Its members
HIV/AIDS – Human Immuno-deficiency Virus/
are drawn from a wide spectrum of associated
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
disciplines such as industrial safety practitioners,
HPCSA – Health Professions Council of South Africa.
occupational hygienists, nurses and doctors, security
The Council, in conjunction with the Professional
managers, fire experts, risk management consult-
Boards, is committed to promoting the health of the
ants, etc, employed in industries across the board.
population, determining standards of professional
Its main aim and objective is to improve the
education and training, and setting and maintaining
quality of service rendered by its members through
fair standards of professional practice.
education and training, by representing its
HSG 173 – Health and safety guidance document HSG
members at government and employer level and
173 (Monitoring Strategies for Toxic Substances), Health
by generally striving to enhance their professional
and Safety Executive, United Kingdom.
status.
HST – Health Systems Trust. A dynamic independ-
IPCS – International Programme on Chemical
ent non-government organisation established in
Safety.
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SOUTHERN AFRICA
IRCA(1) – International risk assessment, consult-
N
ing, and behaviour based management and training
services provide organisations with the practical
NACA – National Association for Clean Air.
solutions that enable them to identify and manage
NCOH – National Centre for Occupational Health,
risk exposure.
Department of Health. The National Centre for
IRCA(2) – International Risk Control Africa. A
Occupational Health (NCOH) is primarily concerned
private company.
with the prevention of work-related illness. It offers
ISO – International Organization for Standardiza-
a number of services to provincial structures,
tion.
occupational health practitioners, workers and mana g e m e n t t o s u p p o r t d e ve l o p m e n t o f g o o d
J
occupational practice.
NDOT – National Department of Transport.
Joint Effort – WHO/ILO Joint Effort on OHS in
NEDLAC – National Economic Development and
Africa.
Labour Council. At Nedlac, Government comes together with organised business, organised labour
L
and organised community groupings on a national
level to discuss and try to reach consensus on issues
LEL or LFL – Lowest Explosive Limit or Lower
of social and economic policy. This is called ‘social
Flammable Limit.
dialogue’. Nedlac’s aim is to make economic deci-
LOA – Life Officers’ Association of South Africa. An
sion-making more inclusive, to promote the goals
association of registered long-term insurance com-
of economic growth and social equity.
panies conducting business in South Africa. The
NEPAD – New Partner in Africa’s Development.
LOA is a forum where member offices can interact
NGO – Non-governmental Organization.
to promote their interests and the interests of cur-
NOC – Not Otherwise Classified.
rent and future stakeholders.
NOEL – No Observed Effect Level.
NOS – Not Otherwise Specified.
M
NOSA – National Occupational Safety Association.
Provides an integrated range of occupational risk
MBOD – Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases,
management services. The NOSA Integrated Five
Department of Health.
Star System consists of 72 separate elements, cov-
MDHS 39/4 – Methods for the Determination of
ering five focus areas: Premises and Housekeeping,
Hazardous Substances 39/4 (Asbestos fibres in air,
Mechanical, Electrical and Personal Safeguarding,
sampling and evaluation by phase contrast
Fire Protection and Prevention, Incident Recording
microscopy (PCM) under the Control of Asbestos
and Investigation, Organisational Management.
at Work Regulations), Health and Safety Execu-
NOx – A general formula for oxides of nitrogen (NO,
tive, United Kingdom.
NO2)
MEDUNSA – Medical University of Southern
NQF – National Qualifications Framework. The set
Africa.
of principles and guidelines by which records of
MHSA – Mine Health and Safety Act 1996.
learner achievement are registered to enable
MHSC – Mine Health and Safety Council.
national recognition of acquired skills and knowl-
µg – Microgramme (one-millionth of a gramme).
edge, thereby ensuring an integrated system that
µm – Micrometre. One-millionth of a metre; often
encourages life-long learning.
referred to as a micron.
NSB – National Standards Body. A body registered
min – Minute.
in terms of the South African Qualifications Act No.
MMOA – Mining Medical and Other Health Care
58 of 1995, responsible for establishing education
Professionals Association (formerly Mine Medical
and training standards or qualifications, and to
Officers’ Association of South Africa).
which specific functions relating to the registration
MOHAC – Mine Occupational Health Advisory
of national standards and qualifications have been
Committee.
assigned.
MQA – Mining Qualifications Authority.
NUM – National Union of Mineworkers.
MRC – Medical Research Council of South Africa.
To improve the nation’s health status and quality
O
of life through relevant and excellent health research aimed at promoting equity and development.
ODMWA – Occupational Diseases in Mines and
MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet (same as
Works Act 1973.
hazard data sheet, material data sheet and chemi-
OEL – Occupational Exposure Limit.
cal safety data sheet).
OEL-CL – OEL-Control Limit.
MVS – Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa.
OEL-RL – OEL-Recommended Limit.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SOUTHERN AFRICA
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OESSM – The Occupational Exposure Sampling
Strategy Manual, published by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
S
SAAI – Southern African Acoustics Institute.
Publication No. 77-173 of 1997, USA.
SABS – South African Bureau of Standards. Your
OHS – Occupational Health and Safety.
starting point for information on standards.
OHSA – Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993.
– Provides over 500 000 standards, specifications,
OHSAP – Board of Registration for Occupational
codes of practice and test methods for reference
Hygiene, Safety and Associated Professionals. It was
purposes.
established by the Institute of Occupational
– Maintains sets of international (ISO, IEC, CISPR,
Hygienists of Southern Africa (IOHSA) and the In-
etc), European (CEN, CENELEC) and national stand-
stitute of Safety Management (IoSM) for the
ards from foreign countries (BSI, DIN, AFNOR, SAI,
purpose of registering the competencies of practi-
etc).
tioners and regulating the quality of OHS education
SACAA – South African Civil Aviation Authority.
and training courses and course providers.
SA-CATS-DG – South African Civil Aviation Tech-
OHSAP is recognised nationally and internation-
nical Standards Relating to the Conveyance of
ally as the Body for the Establishment, Advance-
Dangerous Goods.
ment and Maintenance of the Standards of Educa-
SADC – Southern African Development Commu-
tion, Training and Practice of Occupational Hygiene,
nity.
Occupational Safety and Associated Professionals
SADC ELS – SADC Employment and Labour Sector.
in South Africa.
SAEP – Southern Africa Environment Project.
SAIEH – South African Institute of Environmental
P
Health.
SAIOH – Southern African Institute for Occupa-
PAH – Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
tional Hygiene – Amalgamation of the Occupational
PCB – Polychlorinated Biphenyl.
Hygiene Association of Southern Africa (OHASA) and
ppb – Parts per billion.
the Institute of Occupational Hygienists of South-
ppm – Parts per million.
ern Africa (IOHSA).
PPE – Personal Protective Equipment: equipment
SAMA – South African Medical Association. The SA
a worker wears as a barrier between himself or
Medical Association differs from the Health Profes-
herself and the hazardous agent(s).
sions Council in that its membership is voluntary
PSSA – Physiology Society of South Africa.
and it has no statutory or disciplinary powers. At
PsySSA – Pychological Society of South Africa.
present some 70% of doctors in both the public
PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride.
and private sectors are members of the association, which is registered as an independent,
R
non-profit section 21 company. The Association acts
as doctors’ and patients’ champion, and strives for
12
RID – Règlement concernant le transport Interna-
a health care dispensation that will best serve their
tional ferroviaire des marchandises Dangereuses
needs.
(Regulations concerning the International Carriage
SAMOSA – South African Occupational Musculoskel-
of Dangerous Goods by Rail) by the Organisation
etal Disorders Surveillance Action group (NCOH).
i n t e r g o u ve r n e m e n t a l e p o u r l e s Tra n s p o r t s
SAMSA – South African Maritime Safety Authority,
Internationaux Ferroviaires (OTIF) – Intergovern-
Department of Transport.
mental Organisation for International Carriage by
SANC – South African Nursing Council.
Rail.
SAPC – South African Pharmacy Council. A statutory
RMA – Rand Mutual Assurance Company Limited.
body created as a result of the recognition of the
The Rand Mutual Assurance Company Limited,
pharmacy profession by the legislature in South
known as the Rand Mutual, was founded in 1894
Africa, as an exclusive occupational group.
by mining companies on the Witwatersrand as a
SAPS – South African Pulmonology Society.
mutual insurance company to underwrite workers’
SAQA – South African Qualifications Authority. The
compensation for mining industry employees injured
South African Qualifications Authority is a body of
in the course and scope of their environment. In
29 members appointed by the Ministers of Educa-
fact, the Rand Mutual pioneered workers’ compen-
tion and Labour. The functions of the Authority are
sation insurance in South Africa.
essentially twofold: To oversee the development of
RPE – Respiratory Protective Equipment.
the NQF, by formulating and publishing policies and
R Phrases – Risk phrases: a set of numbered stand-
criteria for the registration of bodies responsible
ard sentences which appear on user labels for
for establishing education and training standards
packaged goods (eg, R23: Toxic by inhalation).
or qualifications and for the accreditation of bodies
RTP – Registered Training Provider.
responsible for monitoring and auditing achieve-
MAY/JUNE 2003
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SOUTHERN AFRICA
ments in terms of such standards and qualifica-
Occupational Respiratory Diseases in South Africa
tions; To oversee the implementation of the NQF
(NCOH). A national registry for occupational respi-
by ensuring the registration, accreditation and as-
ratory diseases. It is a collaborative project between
signment of functions to the bodies referred to
the National Centre for Occupational Health, the
above, as well as the registration of national stand-
South African Pulmonology Society and the South
ards and qualifications on the framework. It must
African Society for Occupational Medicine the South
also take steps to ensure that provisions for ac-
African Society for Occupational Health Nurses and
creditation are complied with and where
the Department of Labour. The project is sponsored
appropriate, that registered standards and qualifi-
by the World Health Organization/South Africa Tech-
cations are internationally comparable.
nical Cooperation Programme: Occupational Health.
SARCS – South African Red Cross Society.
S Phrases – Safety phrases: a set of numbered
SARPS – South African Radiation Protection
standard sentences which appear on user labels for
Society.
packaged goods (eg, S 15: Keep away from heat).
SASAEM – South African Society for Aerospace and
Environmental Medicine.
T
SASM – South African Society of Microbiology.
SASOHN – South African Society of Occupational
TLV – Threshold Limit Value. Maximum airborne
Health Nursing Practitioners.
concentration of a material to which most workers
SASOM – South African Society of Occupational
can be exposed during a normal daily and weekly
Medicine.
work schedule without adverse effects.
SASTM – South African Society of Travel Medicine.
TLV-C – TLV-Ceiling Limit. Concentration not to be
SATS – South African Thoracic Society.
exceeded at any time.
SCBA – Self-contained Breathing Apparatus.
TLV-Skin – A notation indicating possible signifi-
SCUBA – Self-contained Underwater Breathing
cant contribution to overall exposure to a material
Apparatus.
by way of absorption through the skin, mucous
SETA – Sector Training and Education Authority.
membranes, and eyes by direct or airborne con-
SGB – Standards Generating Body. A body regis-
tact.
tered in terms of section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the South
TLV-STEL – Short-Term Exposure Limit or maxi-
African Qualifications Act No. 58 of 1995, responsi-
mum concentration for a continuous exposure
ble for establishing education and training standards
period of 15 minutes.
or qualifications, and to which specific functions re-
TLV-TWA – TLV Time Weighted Average concen-
lating to the establishing of national standards and
tration for a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour
qualifications have been assigned in terms of sec-
week.
tion 5(1)(b)(i) of the Act.
Tremcard – Transport Emergency Card. Instruc-
SGG – Standards Generating Group. Responsible
tions on how to deal with emergencies involving
for writing the educational and training standards
hazardous chemicals.
for a specific section. Submits the written standards to the SGB.
U
SHE – Safety, Health and Environment. (In the USA
known as EHS – Environment, Health and Safety).
UEL or UFL – Upper Explosive Limit or Upper
SIMRAC – Safety in Mines Research Advisory Com-
Flammable Limit.
mittee. The Safety in Mines Research Advisory
UN – United Nations.
Committee, known as SIMRAC, was established in
UN Number – UN substance number. Four-digit
terms of Section 29 (9) (a) of the Minerals Act,
numbers which have been assigned by the UN Com-
(Act 50 of 1991) with the principal objective of ad-
mittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous
vising the Mine Health and Safety Council on the
Goods, to individual substances (eg, sulphuric acid)
determination of the safety risk on mines, and the
or groups of similar substances (eg, carbamate
need for research into safety on mines based on
pesticides).
the safety risk.
UNISA – University of South Africa.
SIMRAC identifies research projects to address
and reduce safety risks on mines, and determines
W
the cost and priorities of projects, concludes agreements for carrying out projects, imposes a levy to
WBGT index – Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Index.
fund research, monitors the progress on these
WHO – World Health Organisation.
projects and communicates research results to all
WHO/AFRO – WHO Regional Office for Africa.
stakeholders.
WHO/EMRO – WHO Regional Office for the East-
SIMPROSS – SIMRAC Project Support Services.
ern Mediterranean.
SORDSA – Surveillance of Work-related and
WHO CC – WHO Collaborating Centre.
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