Construction Accident Terms and Definitions

Glossary of Terms

Abutment: The lateral supporting structure of an arch, bridge or similar pressure; that part of a pier or wall from which an arch springs, specifically the support at either end of an arch, beam or bridge; that part of a structure which takes the thrust of a beam, arch, vault, truss or girder; the part of a bridge that supports the end of the span and prevents the bank from sliding under it; a foundation that carries gravity and also thrust loads.

Accessible: 1. As applied to equipment, admitting close approach because not guarded by locked doors (unless keys are readily available to those requiring access), elevation or other effective means. 2. As applied to wiring methods, not permanently closed in by the structure or finish of the building; capable of being removed without disturbing the building structure, finish, or fixed appurtenance thereto.

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Acetic Acid: A compound, which in the pure state is a colorless, pungent, biting liquid; vinegar contains 4 to 12 percent of acetic acid.

Acetone: A water-white volatile, highly flammable solvent with ether-like odor; made by destructive distillation of hardwood, fermentation of butyl alcohol, and from petroleum sources; used extensively in making paint removers; dimethyl ketone; see Ketones.

Acetylene: A colorless hydrocarbon gas, burning with a bright flame, used as a fuel in welding and soldering.

Acute Exposure: A single exposure to a toxic substance, which results in severe biological harm or death. Acute exposures are usually characterized as lasting no longer than a day, as compared to longer, continuing exposure over a period of time.

Backhoe: An excavating machine with a bucket rigidly attached to a hinged stick on a boom that is drawn toward the machine in operation.

Backnailing: In roofing, the practice of blind nailing (in addition to hot- mopping) all the plies to a substrate to prevent slippage on slopes of 1-1/2 inch or more for steep asphalt, 1/2 inch or more for coal-tar pitch and dead-level asphalt.

Bodily Injury Liability (BI): A legal liability that may arise as a result of the injury or death to another person.

Caisson Disease: A sometimes fatal disorder that afflicts workers in a compressed air atmosphere who return to normal air pressure too quickly; decompression sickness; also called The Bends, Air Embolism, or Aerembolism.

Fire and Life Safety Program: A plan implemented by businesses and other organizations to protect constituents (employees, building occupants, etc.) from fire and other hazards which are immediately hazardous to life. In the context used here, this entails such elements as fire prevention, pre-fire planning, assessment of building design for compliance with fire and safety codes, ensuring proper emergency egress. Avoidance of electrical hazards or oxygen deficient atmospheres, etc.

Hardware: All of the "metal" fittings that go into the home when it is near completion. For example, door knobs, towel bars, handrail brackets, closet rods, house numbers, door closers, etc. The Interior Trim Carpenter installs the "hardware

Hazard: A condition or physical situation with a potential for an undesirable consequence, such as harm to life or limb.

Hazard Control Procedures: Specific guidelines or step-by-step instructions, which must be followed to control a particular hazard or to comply with health and safety regulations which, apply to that hazard.

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Hot wire: The wire that carries electrical energy to a receptacle or other device—in contrast to a neutral, which carries electricity away again. Normally the black wire. Also see ground.

Injury and Illness Log: Required by Federal and State regulations, this log documents injuries and illnesses caused by work-related activities that result in lost work time, fatalities, offsite treatment, and restricted work activity. Employers are required to maintain and post this information at the work site.

Inspections: Periodic audits of the workplace environment, including equipment, chemicals, building structure, documented procedures, records, and employee knowledge of job requirements and hazards. Inspections may be undertaken for the purpose of departmental self-evaluation or by Environmental Health and Safety or outside agencies for analysis of compliance with health and safety regulations.

Negligence: Failure to use that degree of care, which an ordinary person of reasonable prudence would use under the given or similar circumstances. A person may be negligent by acts of omission or commission or both.

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Heath Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor. Federal agency with safety and health regulatory and enforcement authorities for most U.S. industry and business

Occurrence: An event that results in an insured loss. In some lines of insurance, such as liability, it is distinguished from accident in that the loss does not have to be sudden and fortuitous and can result from continuous or repeated exposure, which results in bodily injury or property damage neither expected nor intended by the insured.

Personal Injury: Injury other than bodily injury arising out of false arrest or detention, malicious prosecution, wrongful entry or eviction, libel or slander, or violation of a person's right to privacy committed other than in the course of advertising, publishing, broadcasting or telecasting. Contrast with Advertising Injury.

Risk Identification: Recognizing that a hazard exists and trying to define its characteristics. Often risks exist and are even measured for some time before their adverse consequences are recognized. In other cases, risk identification is a deliberate procedure to review, and it is hoped, anticipate possible hazards

Have you, or someone you know, been involved in a construction accident? Are you currently seeking legal information regarding Pennsylvania construction accident laws? If so, contact one of our Pennsylvania construction accident attorneys today!