Forklift Certification
OSHA requires forklift operators to be certified to use a forklift and authorized from the employer to operate the forklift. Forklifts, or powered industrial trucks, are a staple of many workplaces, but can also be the most dangerous hazards in the workplace. They are vehicles that weigh thousands of pounds that are often traveling in the…
CSS Editorial Staff | June 20, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
International Standards Organizations (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a non-governmental agency focused on setting standards for countries worldwide. It is made up of 164 member countries and is the world’s largest developer of voluntary international standards. Each member country is represented in ISO by a standards body; the United States, for example, is represented by the American National…
CSS Editorial Staff | June 20, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
SIPOC Diagram
A SIPOC diagram is a process improvement tool used in the Six Sigma methodology and Lean manufacturing. It is used to identify all relevant elements of a process before any improvement project begins. SIPOC diagrams are most beneficial when used in the “define” step of the DMAIC cycle, before beginning a Kaizen event, or as the first…
CSS Editorial Staff | June 20, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
How is Gemba Lean?
Gemba walks are a Lean management tool that fits in with many other Lean manufacturing concepts. The focus of a Lean manufacturing system in general is on identifying waste in work processes and eliminating it. That way only things that add value for the customer are performed or included. While a gemba walk can focus on…
CSS Editorial Staff | June 4, 2019 | Gemba, Lean | 3 min read
Fire Suppression System
Fire suppression systems are the systems used to contain or extinguish fire in a building, typically used in rooms with valuable or critical equipment. When heat or smoke is detected, the system is immediately activated, and an extinguishing agent is released. A dry chemical or wet agent (or a combination of the two) fills the…
CSS Editorial Staff | May 29, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Eye Wash Stations
The eyes are one of the most sensitive organs in the body, with permanent damage occurring in a matter of seconds. In order to protect workers from an accidental splash into the eye, facilities with hazardous chemicals must maintain eyewash stations in the workplace. Eyewash stations are easily accessible and allow workers to quickly flush out…
CSS Editorial Staff | May 29, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Cleanroom
Simply speaking, cleanrooms are spaces designed to be free from impurities. These rooms are found in research labs, industrial production facilities, and in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical items and microprocessors. Cleanrooms are controlled environments with a low level of pollutants and a controlled level of contamination used where particles and unpredictable airflows can negatively impact the manufacturing…
CSS Editorial Staff | April 22, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Hearing Protection
Workplaces producing excessive noise (either sudden or continuous) can injure workers and even lead to permanent hearing damage. In order to reduce the hazard, engineering controls, new work procedures, and administrative controls should all be considered. If there is no way to eliminate the dangerous of levels of noise in the facility, employer will need to…
CSS Editorial Staff | April 22, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
Fall Protection
Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injuries and deaths in the workplace, according to OSHA. However, OSHA’s fall protection standard for the construction industry and the standard for fall protection training were both among the top ten most frequently cited standards for the fiscal year of 2018. Because of how dangerous falls…
CSS Editorial Staff | April 22, 2019 | CSS.com - Glossary | 2 min read
