Glossary of terms and acronyms S-T

The following is a glossary of some key terms, concepts and acronyms used in the publications in this and in linked web sites. The terms and definitions are drawn from a number of sources including legislation, standards, codes of practice, guides, reports and other documents. For translations into Maori of some of the key terms here, see the English-Maori Glossary of Occupational Safety and Health Terms.

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Term or Acronym Definition
S&M Sadism and masochism.
SADT Self-accelerating decomposition temperature. The lowest temperature at which self-accelerating decomposition of the substance occurs in the packaging in which it is tested, as prescribed in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria.
Safe Not exposed to a hazard, or free from hazards.
Safe by position So positioned that any person cannot reach or gain access to the dangerous parts. A dangerous part that is beyond an upward reach of 2.5m is regarded as notionally safe by position unless the particular facts destroy that possibility.
Safe haven A place where a vessel can safely anchor or berth to enable measures to be taken to forestall or minimise the effects of damage (e.g. to minimise the leakage of oil).
Safe load indicator A device which, when fitted to a crane, gives a warning of the approach to the safe working load of the crane, and further warning when a the safe working load has been exceeded.
Safe oxygen range A minimum oxygen content in air of 19.5 percent by volume under normal atmospheric pressure (equivalent to a partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) of 19.8 kPa (148 mm Hg)), and a maximum oxgygen content in air of 23.5 percent by volume under normal atmospheric pressure (equivalent to a partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) of 23.9 kPa (179 mm Hg).
Safe path That part of an exit way which is protected from the effects of fire by fire separations, external walls or by distance when exposed to open air.
Safe place A place of safety in the vicinity of a building, either outdoors or in another building, from which people may safely disperse after escaping from the effects of fire.
Safe ship management (SSM) system A structured and documented system enabling ship and shore-based personnel to implement the owner's safety and pollution prevention policy in accordance with the New Zealand Safe Ship Management Code.
Safe slope The steepest slope at which an excavated face is stable against slips and slides.
Safe stopping distance The minimum distance required for a driver of normal vision, driving at a safe operating speed for the road, to recognise a hazard and decelerate with normal braking to stop completely before reaching the hazard.
Safe systems of work The design of work in which the health and safety risks to employees have been controlled. This can include the process, pace and flow of the work, the work practices used, the design and use of plant and equipment, and the effect of environmental factors.
Safe tolerance In relation to a vehicle means the tolerance within which the safe performance of the vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment is not compromised, having regard to any manufacturer's operating limits.
Safe working load (SWL) The maximum load, calculated in accordance with sound and accepted engineering practice, that can be supported safely under normal working conditions, e.g. on a scaffold.
Safety A state in which the risk of harm (to persons) or damage is limited to an acceptable level.
Safety administration (land transport) As a classification:
(a) means all outputs (other than those of construction and maintenance) the primary purpose of which is to improve public safety in relation to land transport; and
(b) includes
(i) education; and
(ii) enforcement.
Safety Alert In the Australian jurisdictions, refers to a brief description of a work practice or thing that has proved to be very dangerous and which needs immediate remedial action. The published document is no more than 2 A4 pages, and a single page is preferred. It includes specific guidance on how to eliminate or reduced the risk described in the Alert.
Safety ammunition Ammunition consisting of a cartridge case fitted with a centre or rim fire primer and containing both a propelling charge and a solid projectile, designed to be fired in weapons of a calibre not larger than 19.1 mm; and includes shotgun cartridges of any calibre.
Safety belt A belt secured around the waist which may include butt or groin straps but which is not suitable to arrest a free fall.
Safety boots Working boots fitted with protective steel toecaps.
Safety colour In relation to safety signs is any one of the colours specified in Appendix A of NZS/AS1319: 1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment to which a safety meaning is attributed.
Safety container [Under the Medicines Regulations] means a container, whether or not part of a strip of containers, that:
(a) encloses a single tablet or other single item of a medicine that is a solid or a class of medicines that are solids (including a medicine or class of medicines in powder form); and
(b) is made of aluminium foil or laminated plastic, or such other material as may be approved by the Director-General in relation to the packaging of any solid medicine to which regulation 37 of these regulations applies, either by notice in the Gazette or in writing addressed to a particular manufacturer, packer, importer, or seller of medicines; and
(c) is reasonably resistant to attempts by young children to open it.
Safety critical element Any part or parts of an installation or plant (including computer programmes) designed to isolate or minimise a significant hazard, the failure of which could result in serious harm to any person:
Safety device Any kind of device, item, or system that is used in or on equipment and that controls or monitors any aspect of the safety of the equipment and includes a safety relief device.
Safety extra-low voltage Extra-low voltage in a circuit that is isolated from the electricity supply mains by means such as a safety isolating transformer.
Safety factor The number of times below the harmful range at which the public exposure limit is set . A set safety factor of 50 means that a person can be exposed to 50 times that amount before there is an reasonable expectation of hazard. Use of safety factors is not the same thing as minimising unnecessary exposure.
Safety factor The ratio of the breaking strength of a component (for example, a winch cable) to the maximum designed load or stress when used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Safety frame (tractor) Frame to prevent a tractor rolling over if it tips.
Safety frame, safety cab Synonym for Roll Over Protective Structure (ROPS). Safety frames may be two-post or four-post types.
Safety glass A glass so treated or combined with other materials as to reduce the likelihood of injury to persons when it is cracked or broken.
Safety glasses
/goggles		 Glasses or goggles with toughened lenses to protect the eyes from flying particles or objects. Goggles completely enclose the eye and are secured by a strap around the back of the head.
Safety guy An additional guy set below the operating ropes to carry the rigging away from working areas in the event of rigging failures.
Safety harness Any type of harness, including full-body harness, lower body harness, work positioning harness, and sit harness.
Safety helmet Headgear designed to protect the wearer's head.
Safety isolating transformer An isolating transformer designed to supply safety extra-low voltage circuits.
Safety line A line attached to a worker's safety belt or harness at one end and to a secure anchorage point at the other.
Safety Management Certificate Means: (a) in relation to a New Zealand ship, a maritime document issued under Part V of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 in accordance with rules 21.7(4) and 21.7(5); 31 July 1997 Part 21 Safe Ship Management Systems; (b) in relation to a foreign ship, the safety management certificate or equivalent referred to in rule 21.8.
Safety management system A structured and documented system enabling ship and shore based personnel to implement the owner's safety and pollution prevention policy in accordance with the ISM Code.
Safety mitt (chainsaw) Glove attached to forward handle of chainsaw, to prevent hand slipping off handle if saw kicks back.
Safety shut-off system An arrangement of valves and associated controls which shut off the supply of gas when required by a device which senses the approach of an unsafe condition.
Safety sign An inscribed board, plaque or other delineated space on which a combination of legend and symbolic shape is used to convey a message. As specified in NZS/AS 1319:1994 Safety signs for the occupational environment.
Safety stop A stop taken by ascending divers to assist 'gassing off'. To be taken at 5 metres for 3 minutes on last dive of day, as diving plan indicates.
Safety strop Strop attached to a guy near the top of a spar to prevent blocks and ropes falling on to a landing in the event of an equipment failure.
Safety system (rail) In relation to a rail participant, means a written record of all the rail participant's management and operational policies and practices that relate to the safe conduct of its rail activities; and includes the rail participant's operational and training manuals.
Safety switch A switch which operates the motor of a machine only while the switch is held in the ON position by the operator.
Safe tolerance The tolerance within which the safe performance of a vehicle, its structure, systems, components or equipment is not compromised, having regard to any manufacturer's operating limits.
Safety trousers Trousers or chaps with ankle to groin protective padding for chainsaw operators.
Safety valve As defined in AS 1210 and AS 1271, i.e. a type of pressure relief valve intended for the release of excessive vapour pressure.
Safety Watch Scheme with 0800 number for public reporting of visitor safety concerns.
Safety zone A portion of roadway:
(a) indicated by a structure erected on the roadway; and
(b) that has, near the end first met by approaching vehicles travelling along the side of the roadway on which the safety zone is established, a device displaying to approaching drivers the words 'Safety Zone'.
Safe working pressure In relation to any equipment, means the pressure for which the equipment has been designed to safely operate in accordance with the specific requirements of the design code, or lower pressure assigned to the equipment for safety reasons.
Sailer A broken limb or tree crown hanging precariously, which could fall on workers below it.
Salt bath A receptacle containing the salt (or mixtures of salts) which when heated melt to form a liquid medium for heat treatment processes.
Salute A class 1 category G pyrotechnic designed to produce a loud report.
Salvage (a) Recovery of logs left during a previous logging operation
(b) Harvesting of trees which have been damaged or put on the ground by natural causes.
Sampling The process of talking microbiological, chemical, or other specimens as part of a public health programme in order to test or monitor quality or public health risk.
Sanitary Any condition that has a direct or indirect bearing on hygiene, including the condition of the plant, the equipment and the facilities.
Sanitary appliance An appliance which is intended to be used for sanitation, but which is not a sanitary fixture. Included are machines for washing dishes and clothes.
Sanitary convenience Includes a urinal, a water closet, earth closet, toilet, a chemical toilet, a privy, and any similar convenience.
Sanitary fixture Any fixture which is intended to be used for sanitation.
Sanitation The term used to describe the activities of washing and/or excretion carried out in a manner or condition such that the effect on health is minimised, with regard to dirt and infection.
Sanitising The application of an authorised chemical or physical agent to a clean surface, with the intention of reducing microbial contamination to an acceptable level.
SAP Safety action plan.
SAR Specific absorption rate, measured in watts per kilogram (W/kg). This number expresses the rate at which radio-frequency energy is absorbed in the body. In the New Zealand exposure Standard, the maximum SAR level permitted over any 10 gm of body tissue is 2 W/kg, provided the average SAR over the whole body is less than 0.08 W/kg.
SART An emergency beacon which sends a signal detectable by radar.
SARTIME The time nominated by a pilot for the initiation of alerting action.
Saturation temperature The boiling point temperature of a liquid at the corresponding pressure.
Scaffold register A written record of inspections carried out for scaffolding.
Scaffolding (a) Any advanced scaffolding, basic scaffolding, or suspended scaffolding or any framework or structure, of a temporary nature, used or intended to be used
(i) for the support or protection of persons carrying out construction work or work connected with construction work, for the purpose of carrying out that work; or
(ii) for the support of materials used in connection with any such work; and
(b) includes any scaffolding constructed as such and not dismantled, whether or not it is being used as scaffolding, and
(c) includes any coupling, device, fastening, fitting, or plank used in connection with the construction, erection, or use of scaffolding.
Scarf A notch cut in a tree stem near the base to establish its direction of fall.
Scene lamp A work lamp designed to provide a fixed or moveable beam of light to illuminate the area around a vehicle, or the vehicle itself.
Schedule A table in a State Regulation. It usually follows the main text (clauses) of the Regulation.
School premises Premises that are:
(a) a registered school; or
(b) facilities, grounds, structures, or other premises, controlled and managed by the managers of a registered school, and used principally for
(i) the enjoyment, recreation, or relaxation of the young people attending the school; or
(ii) cultural or sporting activities (or both) involving, or undertaken for the benefit of, the young people attending the school.
Scleroderma (Also known as progressive systemic sclerosis) A rare autoimmune disorder involving the connective tissue and damage to microvessels. It is characterised by fibrosis of the skin and sometimes the internal organs. Occupational exposures have been linked to scleroderma include silica, hand-arm vibration, organic solvents and other hydrocarbons.
Screen wall A wall or other barrier of such substance and so constructed or placed as to be efficient for the purpose of preventing the spread of fire from any one place to another or to divert flammable vapours; and includes the wall of a protected work if the wall is adequate for that purpose.
Scrub General term describing unusable vegetation, e.g. secondary growth, understorey.
SCUBA Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus. Open-circuit diving equipment that supplies the diver with the breathing gas from a cylinder carried by the diver.
Seafarer (a) Means any person who:
(i) is employed or engaged on any ship in any capacity for hire or reward; or
(ii) works on any ship for gain or reward otherwise than under a contract of employment; but:
(b) does not include a pilot or any person temporarily employed on a ship while it is in port.
Seatbelt An assembly of straps made of webbing or metal with a securing buckle, adjusting devices and attachments, including any device for absorbing energy or for retracting the webbing, that:
(a) is able to be anchored to the interior of a vehicle; and
(b) is designed to diminish the risk of injury to its wearer in the event of a collision or abrupt deceleration of the vehicle by limiting the mobility of the wearer's body.
Seatbelt anchorage The parts of the vehicle structure, seat structure or any other part of the vehicle to which a seatbelt assembly is attached.
Seclusion The placing of a person, at any time and for any duration, alone in an area where he/she cannot exit.
Secondary detonating explosive substance A substance designed to detonate that requires stimulation equivalent to the detonation of a primary explosive substance to initiate it.
Second crop New Zealand term for second rotation of a planted forest.
Secondary or acquired
resistance		 Drug resistance developing during treatment.
Secondary containment system In relation to a place:
(a) means a system or systems:
(i) in which pooling substances held in the place will be contained if they escape from the container or containers in which they are being held; and
(ii) from which they can, subject to unavoidable wastage, be recovered; and
(b) includes a system or systems that comply with a code of practice approved by the Authority under section 78 of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
Secondary hazard A hazard that occurs as a result of another hazard or disaster. e.g. fires and landslides may follow earthquakes, epidemics may follow food shortages or floods.
Secondary prevention (1) Measures taken to remove a hazard and correct or reverse harmful effects.
(2) The appropriate treatment of a disease to prevent its adverse effects.
Secondary Standard Standard whose value is assigned by comparison with a primary standard of the same quantity [VIM] [45].
Second-hand smoke The smoke breathed out by a person who smokes, and smoke from the end of a burning cigarette.
Section height (SH) The distance from the bead seat to the outer tread contour of the inflated tyre - at the centreline.
Section width (SW) The width of the inflated tyre section, excluding any lettering or decoration.
Secure footing The combination of the type of shoes worn and the slope and surface friction of the surface being walked on to prevent the possibility of the person slipping or needing a handrail to assist balance.
Securely fenced Guarded in such a way that the dangerous part is no longer dangerous in that there is no longer a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury to any person employed or working in the place of work, even a person who is careless or inattentive while in the vicinity of a machine or using a machine.
Securing device Includes chains, webbing, twitches and other components used for tying down a load.
Sécurité A marine radio signal which is used to indicate that the caller is about to transmit a message containing an important navigational or meteorological warning.
Security control Measures by which the introduction of weapons or articles likely to be utilised to commit an act of unlawful interference can be prevented.
Security incident (SEC) ([Aircraft] An incident that involves unlawful interference.
Sediment traps Holes or other structures designed to capture water and allow sediment to settle out before the run-off reaches a stream.
Seelonce feenee A marine radio signal which is used to advise that distress communications have ceased and normal working may be resumed.
Segregation devices In relation to dangerous goods transport means containers that comply with the specified performance standards and are used to provide an additional level of protection and containment of packages.
SEIFR passenger operation An air transport operation carrying passengers in a single-engine aeroplane under IFR.
Selected duties A change in the type of duties normally undertaken by an employee so as to avoid tasks that will aggravate symptoms.
Selective logging Extracting selected trees from a stand managed under a selection system.
Self-checking system (boiler) A sub-circuit within the boiler management system, designed and arranged to automatically and regularly test the integrity of low water and flame-failure devices by dynamic testing of each and every component on which safe and correct operation is dependent, usually by creating a change of state.
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) A portable respirator which supplies oxygen, air or other respirable gas from a source carried by the user.
Self-discharging well A well which discharges geothermal fluid and/or steam from a pressurised reservoir without the aid of continued artificial lift.
Self-erecting tower crane A tower crane with the capability of self-erection. Self-erecting cranes are not to be confused with self-climbing cranes.
Self-climbing tower crane A tower crane using its own motive power to extend its height. Self-climbing cranes are not to be confused with self-erecting cranes.
Self-contained compactor-container A powered machine that remains stationary during operation, designed to compact refuse into an integral container. The entire unit may be moved for placement and unloading of refuse.
Self-monitoring system (boiler) A sub-circuit within the boiler management system that continually monitors the integrity of the control components and their interconnections.
Self-propelled mobile mechanical plant Any mobile mechanical plant designed to move under its own motive power with an operator at its controls.
Sell Includes to barter; and also includes offering or attempting to sell, or having in possession for sale, or exposing, sending, or delivering for sale, or causing or allowing to be sold, offered, or exposed for sale; and also includes any disposal by way of gift (which includes the giving or distribution, in the course of business, as a sample or otherwise without charge), loan, prize, reward, or otherwise; and 'sale' has a corresponding meaning.
Semi-trailer See Articulated vehicle
Sensitisation To become sensitised/allergic to the effects of even minute quantities of a substance.
Sensitiser A substance that can cause an allergic sensitisation, usually affecting the skin or respiratory system.
Sensitivity Diagnostic sensitivity is the conditional probability that a person having a disease could be correctly identified by a clinical test (i.e. the number of true positive results divided by the number of true positive and false negative results).
Separation fillet Small-section timber used to separate layers of timber to facilitate drying.
Separation distance The distance from the edge of the area where hazardous substances are used, stored or otherwise handled to the edge of the area exposed to defined adverse effects.
Serious harm The HSE Act defines serious harm as follows:
(a) Death.
(b) Any of the following conditions that amounts to or results in permanent loss of bodily function, or temporary severe loss of bodily function: respiratory disease, noise-induced hearing loss, neurological disease, cancer, dermatological disease, communicable disease, musculoskeletal disease, illness caused by exposure to infected material, decompression sickness, poisoning, vision impairment, chemical or hot-metal burn of eye, penetrating wound of eye, bone fracture, laceration, crushing.
(c) Amputation of body part.
(d) Burns requiring referral to a specialist registered medical practitioner or specialist outpatient clinic.
(e) Loss of consciousness from lack of oxygen.
(f) Loss of consciousness, or acute illness requiring treatment by a registered medical practitioner, from absorption, inhalation, or ingestion, of any substance.
Any harm that causes the person harmed to be hospitalised for a period of 48 hours or more commencing within 7 days of the harm's occurrence.
Seroconversion The appearance of specific antibodies in a person as a result of infection or immunisation.
Serotype The range of antibodies possessed by an individual, usually based on sampling from blood, serum or saliva.
Serpentine One of the two main types of asbestos, also referred to as chrysotile. A magnesium silicate, white in colour. The fibres are relatively easily separated from the parent ore and form bundles which are soft and curly.
Serum The clear straw-coloured portion of whole blood without the clotting factors.
Service opening An opening into the interior of plant or equipment that is designed to permit access to the interior for the purpose of service or maintenance, but not of a size to permit a person to pass through it.
Service pressure Used for gas cylinders designed to DOT and CTC specifications as a pressure rating for the cylinder. Has no defined meaning for cylinders to other specifications.
Service protective fitting A fitting that can interrupt the supply of electricity to an electrical installation.
Service spaces On a ship are those spaces used for galleys, pantries containing cooking appliances, lockers and store-rooms, workshops other than those forming part of the machinery spaces, and similar spaces and trunks to such spaces.
Service wires The electrical cable or overhead conductors which are attached to the customer's premises.
Setting Portion of a stand to be logged to one skid.
Settled (ERS Mediation Service) A conclusion to a dispute reached by mutual agreement by the parties involved, facilitated by a Mediator.
Severity factor [Aviation industry] The following definitions apply to the severity accorded to occurrences and to findings as the result of investigation of occurrences:

Severity Factor Definition
Critical (CR) An occurrence or deficiency that caused, or on its own had the potential to cause, loss of life or limb;
Major (MA) An occurrence or deficiency involving a major system that caused, or had the potential to cause, significant problems to the function or effectiveness of that system;
Minor (MN) An isolated occurrence or deficiency not indicative of a significant system problem.
Sex worker A person who provides commercial sexual services.
Sexual harassment An employee is sexually harassed in that employee's employment if that employee's employer or a representative of that employer:
(a) directly or indirectly makes a request of that employee for sexual intercourse, sexual contact, or other form of sexual activity that contains
(i) an implied or overt promise of preferential treatment in that employee's employment; or
(ii) an implied or overt threat of detrimental treatment in that employee's employment; or
(iii) an implied or overt threat about the present or future employment status of that employee; or
(b) by:
(i) the use of language (whether written or spoken) of a sexual nature; or
(ii) the use of visual material of a sexual nature; or
(iii) physical behaviour of a sexual nature;
directly or indirectly subjects the employee to behaviour that is unwelcome or offensive to that employee (whether or not that is conveyed to the employer or representative) and that, either by its nature or through repetition, has a detrimental effect on that employee's employment, job performance, or job satisfaction. [Employment Relations Act 2000]
Sexually transmissible infection (STI) An infection or disease spread by the transfer of organisms from person to person during sexual contact.
SFE Act Smoke-free Environments Act 1990.
SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance.
Shackle A length of steel rod bent into a 'U' shape, provided with eyes at each end through which a bolt is passed to close the loop. Used for connecting chains to hooks, etc.
Shaft A machine component, usually round in cross section, rotating in bearings and used to transmit rotary motion from one point to another or support rotating components.
Shaft An opening in a mine having an inclination above the horizontal of 15° or more (a) through which employees or materials are transported; or (b) that is used as a main intake or outlet for ventilation.
Shall, should, may 'Shall' indicates that a requirement is mandatory. 'Should' indicates an advisory statement. 'May' implies the right to use discretion.
Sharps Hypodermic needles, syringes, (with or without the attached needle), pasteur pipettes, scalpel blades, suture needles, blood vials, needles with attached tubing, and culture dishes (regardless of presence of infectious agents). Also included are other types of broken or unbroken glassware that were in contact with infectious agents, such as used slides and cover slips.
Shay swivel A fitting used to attach a slack pulling rope to the main rope.
Shear Hydraulically operated cutting knives in a felling head, which severs stems from stumps.
Shear stress A stress which tends to shear a material.
Shearing point Place where part of the equipment can move past a fixed or other moving part, or past a fixed area, so that persons, or parts of their body, can be cut.
Sheave A grooved wheel or pulley. A component of a block or carriage.
Sheeting Vertical timber boards or steel trench sheets placed against the face of an excavation to give it support, and held in place by struts and walings as required.
Shield A device attached to the muzzle end of a powder-actuated handheld fastening tool, designed to prevent the escape of the fastener and flying particles or material that could ricochet.
Shift work Work that forces sleep to be displaced. It is associated with a range of work-related disorders.
Shift work sleep disorder The symptoms and signs of insomnia or excessive sleepiness that occur as transient phenomena in relation to work schedules. Additional problems can be reduced alertness and problems with personal relationships away from work. An associated condition is irregular sleep-wake patterns, characterised by temporally disorganised and variable episodes of sleeping and waking behaviour.
Ship Means every description of boat or craft used in navigation, whether or not it has any means of propulsion; and includes:
(a) a barge, lighter, or other like vessel;
(b) a hovercraft or other thing deriving full or partial support in the atmosphere from the reaction of air against the surface of the water over which it operates:
(c) a submarine or other submersible.
Ship station Any mobile radio station in the maritime radio service located onboard a vessel which is not permanently moored. These vessels can range in size from runabouts to cargo and passenger ships.
Shipping casualty Means any of the following:
(a) a collision of ships:
(b) the loss, stranding, or abandonment of a ship:
(c) any other event occurring on board, outside, or to a ship, resulting in material damage or the risk of material damage to a ship, or cargo, or both.
Shipping container (a) Includes a standardised device:
(i) of a permanent character strong enough to be suitable for repeated use; and
(ii) used to contain or hold goods (A) while being loaded or unloaded for carriage by rail, road, or sea; or (B) carried by rail, road, or sea; but
(b) does not include:
(i) a shipping container that is a fumigation cell; or
(ii) a vehicle, ordinary packing case, crate, box, or similar item used for packing.
Ship security officer The person on board the ship who is accountable to the master and designated by the company as responsible for the security of the ship, including the implementation and maintenance of the ship security plan, and for liaison with the port facility security officer.
Ship security plan A plan developed to ensure the application of measures on board the ship designed to protect persons on board, cargo, cargo transport units, ship's stores, or the ship from the risks of a security incident.
Shipper Any person by whom or in whose name or on whose behalf a contract of goods by sea has been concluded with a carrier, or any person by whom or in whose name or on whose behalf the goods are actually delivered to the carrier in relation to the contract of carriage by sea.
Shock A condition in which there is a sudden fall in blood pressure (fainting). It may be caused by loss of blood, severe pain, fear, or an unpleasant sight.
Shock currents Electrical currents that pass through the body of a person or animal, and that have characteristics that are likely to cause disorders of physiological processes of the body.
Shock-loading The sudden loading of a rope or structure which exceeds the safe working load. Can result in premature wear or failure of the rope, chain, or structure.
Shock sensitivity Tendency of a substance to explode if dropped or roughly handled.
Shore That area of the land adjacent to the water that is above the high-water mark and excludes land areas that are intermittently under water.
Shoring Any material that is or can be used to provide effective support for the exposed face of an excavation; and 'shored' has a corresponding meaning.
Short (skinny) bite Choker set close to end of log.
Short repetitive diving Dive with short time surface interval (refer to tables being used, e.g.less than 30 minutes) before descending again.
Shotgun system An uphill skyline logging system using only two ropes. The carriage is returned by gravity.
Should Indicates a recommendation.
Shoulder An increase in diameter on a shaft used for locating a bearing, pulley, etc. on the shaft.
Shovel Primary forestry fire hand tool.
Shovel logging An extraction system using an excavator-loader. Stems are successively swung and deposited in rows or bunches from the felling site to a destination, usually a road. A single swing movement can be termed bunching, usually for grapple skidder extraction.
Shut-in wellhead pressure The pressure at the wellhead, at equilibrium, when the well flow is shut-off.
Sick building syndrome Term that refers to a set of symptoms that affect some number of building occupants during the time they spend in the building and diminish or go away during periods when they leave the building. These cannot be traced to specific pollutants or sources within the building. (Contrast with 'Building-related illness').
Side lamp A vehicle lamp of lower power than the head lamps used for the purpose of indicating the presence of the vehicle when seen from a distance and also of indicating the approximate width of the vehicle; and includes:
(a) a forward-facing side lamp, being a lamp indicating primarily the front end of the vehicle;
(b) a rearward-facing side lamp (rear lamp, red tail-lamp), being a lamp emitting a red light indicating primarily the rear end of the vehicle;
(c) a sideways-facing side lamp, being a lamp mounted between the front and rear extremities on the side to indicate primarily the side of the vehicle.
Side loader truck A self-loading truck, generally high lift, having load-engaging means mounted so that it can be extended laterallly under control to permiit a load to be picked up and deposited in the extended position and transported in the retracted position.
Sidelights A green light on the ship's starboard side and a red light on the port side each showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 112.5 degrees and fixed to show the light from right ahead to 22.5 degrees (2 points) abaft the beam on its respective side.
Side shift An attachment, usually hydraulically powered, which enables lateral movement of the load or load-holding attachment (forks, clamp, etc.) to facilitate picking up and placement of the load.
Sideboard The substantially vertical part of the side of a flat deck body of a vehicle.
Sievert (Sv) The SI unit of dose equivalent, effective dose, and equivalent dose, being equal to an absorbed dose of one Gray multiplied by the appropriate weighting factor to represent the amount of risk associated with the absorbed dose.
Sight The front handle of a chainsaw, or a mark on the body perpendicular to the bar, to aid the feller in correctly lining up the direction in which the tree will fall.
Significant adverse biological effect A toxicologically significant change in an organ or in an animal observed during the the study where the probability that the change is different from any recognised background history of change ,or from the value in a recognised unexposed control organ or animal group in the test animal strain, is greater than 0.95 (equivalent to P (probability) of 0.05 or less).
Significant ecotoxic effect An ecotoxicologically significant change in an organism or organism population observed during the study where the probability that the change is different from any recognised background history of change or from the value in a recognised unexposed control organism or organism population is greater than 0.95 (equivalent of P (probability) of 0.05 or less.
Significant hazard A hazard that is an actual or potential cause of
(a) serious harm; or
(b) harm (being harm that is more than trivial) the severity of whose effects on any person depend (entirely or among other things) on the extent or frequency of the person's exposure to the hazard; or
(c) harm that does not usually occur, or usually is not easily detectable, until a significant time after exposure to the hazard.
Silence period A period of 3 minutes beginning at each hour and at 30 minutes after each hour of each day, reckoned according to Coordinated Universal Time, during which no transmission other than for distress may be made, on the frequency of 2182kHz.
Silicosis Fibrosis of the lungs due to the inhalation of silica dust.
Silo A building or other structure used principally for the bulk storage of: (a) cereal; or (b) products of cereal; or (c) animal feedstuffs; or (d) other loose material.
Silviculture Work that includes the establishment and tending of tree crops, i.e. land preparation, planting, blanking, releasing from ground or air, protection, pruning, thinning, seed collection, nursery work, use of agricultural chemicals, controlled burning and fire fighting.
SIGMET information Information issued by a meteorological office concerning the occurrence or expected occurrence of specified enroute weather phenomena that may affect the safety of aircraft operations.
Signs Evidence of disease or injury that is perceptible to the examining physician, as opposed to the sensations (symptoms) experienced by the patient. Signs of OOS conditions include tissue swelling, grip strength, restriction of joint range, and nerve tension tests.
Simple trailer A trailer (other than a semi-trailer) that has only one axle set.
Single axle set Either one axle or two axles having their centres spaced less than 1 m apart.
Single-sensitive emergency-locking retractor A seatbelt retractor that, during normal driving conditions, does not restrict the freedom of movement by the wearer of the seatbelt by means of length adjusting components that automatically adjust the seatbelt to the wearer, and that comprises a locking mechanism activated in an emergency by deceleration of the vehicle.
Sino nasal carcinoma A malignant disease of the lining tissues of the nose and upper airways. It has various forms, with adenocarcinoma probably the type most commonly associated with occupational exposures. Exposure to wood dust has been consistently implicated as an occupational cause of sino-nasal cancer. Exposure to leather dust, and work with welding, flame cutting and soldering, has also been associated with an increased risk.
SIR Standardised incidence ratio.
SISIR Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research.
Sit back A tree which settles back on its stump,closing the back-cut.
Sit/Stand A workstation that enables the worker to perform tasks at a standing position while still providing some support of a seated workstation.
Site (construction) Any place, or area within a place, where construction work is being (or is to be) carried out. This includes parts of the place where plant and materials are being stored temporarily, and where vehicles and people may pass for the purpose of doing the construction work.
Site management
system		 The means of ensuring the ongoing safety of a hazardous facility through sound management. A site management system should include safety policy, provide a description of organisational structure and responsibilities, include operating, emergency and monitoring procedures, and carry out regular performance auditing.
Sitework Work on a building site, including earthworks, preparatory to or associated with the construction, alteration, demolition, or removal of a building.
SITO NZ Seafood Industry Training Organisation.
Sitting day A sitting day of the House of Representatives.
Skid Area to which logs are extracted and where they are sorted or loaded.
Skid plate The plate structure forming part of the semi-trailer that houses the kingpin and that mounts on the coupler plate to form the connection between the towing vehicle and the semi-trailer.
Skid tank A transportable tank used to convey dangerous goods of Class 2, and which may also be used for the temporary storage of those goods.
Skidder A self-propelled extraction machine with wheels or tracks specifically designed to partly support logs during skidding.
Skidding or snigging The process of dragging logs from stump to skid.
Skiddy Person who works on skids, unhooking drags and crosscutting logs.
Skyline In cable logging, a rope extended between the hauler and the tailhold to provide lift to a drag of logs and on which the carriage travels.
Skyline carriage
Wheeled device that rides back and forth on the skyline for hauling.
Skyline road Area bounded by the length and lateral yarding width of any given skyline setting.
Slab Waste wood from a lateral split in a log being cut.
Slabbing Undesirable splitting in logs occurring during felling or crosscutting.
Slack Section of rope which is free of tension.
Slack-pulling
carriage		 Carriage designed to feed out slack to facilitate breaking out, or to pull laterally a distance from the skyline path.
Slack-pulling line A rope used to pull out the mainrope or a dropline through a slackpulling carriage.
Slackline system Live skyline system employing a carriage, mainrope, and tailrope. Strops are connected directly to the carriage.
Slagwool A fibrous product manufactured by a process of blowing or spinning from a molten mass of metallurgical furnace slag. See also SMF.
Slash Branches, bark, tops, chunks, cull logs, uprooted stumps and broken trees left on the ground after logging.
Slasher A hand tool used for chopping standing (light) vegetation.
Slewing The rotary motion of a crane, boom or load in a horizontal plane.
Slop tank On a ship, means a tank specifically designated for the collection of tank drainings, tank washings, and other oily mixtures.
Slotting The use of existing live trees for river and stream protection works where they are removed and placed in excavated trenches.
Sloven Remains of holding wood and/or scarf left on a log after felling.
Slow blow fuse Fuse which allows current flow in excess of the nominal value to continue. As much as 10 times the nominal value for a few milliseconds.
Small boiler A boiler with a total volume less than 1500 litres, an operating pressure not exceeding 1000 kPa and an output less than 500 kW.
Small end diameter Diameter measurement of the small end, or top end of a log, on which many volume tables and log specifications are based.
Small owner-operated brothel Defined by the Prostitution Reform Act as a brothel:
(a) at which not more than four sex workers work; and
(b) where each of those sex workers retains control over his or her individual earnings from prostitution carried out at the brothel.
Smallwood Loose term commonly applied to fencing materials.
SMART With reference to health and safety objectives, means that objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound.
Smoke Consists of carbon or soot particles or tarry droplets less than 0.1 micrometer in size, and suspended in air, which results from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials such as coal or oil.
Smoke (tobacco) To smoke
(a) means to smoke, hold, or otherwise have control over an ignited tobacco product, weed, or plant; and
(b) includes to smoke, hold, or otherwise have control over an ignited product or thing whose customary use is or includes the inhalation from it of the smoke produced from its combustion or the combustion of any part of it; but
(c) does not include to hold or have control over an ignited product or thing customarily used as incense.
Smokecell A space within a building which is enclosed by an envelope of smoke separations, or external walls, roofs, and floors.
Smoke control door A doorset with closefitting single or multi-leaves which are impermeable to the passage of smoke, fitted with smoke seals and installed within a smoke separation. The door, in the event of smoke, if not already closed, will close automatically and be held closed.
Smoke-free officer An officer in a Public Health Unit designated as a smoke-free officer.
Smoke separation Any vertical, horizontal or inclined building element with known smoke-stopping or smoke-leakage characteristics.
Smoking accessory Any article or substance that is used in conjunction with smoking, including cigarette papers, pipe cleaners, cigarette lighters, lighter fuel, and ashtrays; and includes the packaging, carton, wrapping, or other container in which smoking accessories are customarily sold at retail.
SMOU Safe Method of Use.
SMR Standardised mortality ratio.
Snag (a) Any dead or dying standing tree or part of a tree;
(b) A hidden, unknown or unexpected difficulty or obstacle.
SNFTAAS Support Network for the Aldehyde and Solvent Affected.
Snipe End of a log rounded by means of sawing or chopping to allow it to ride over or around obstacles during skidding.
Snotter A rope strop with an eye spliced in both ends.
SNS Sympathetic nervous system.
Soak bore A shallow well for disposal of geothermal fluid to zones of permeability at depths above the geothermal reservoir.
Soak hole A hole in the ground dug to trap water and allow it to soak into the ground (common in areas with pumice soils).
Social dialogue Sharing of information among and consultation between groups with a common interest.
Social rehabilitation All the rehabilitation unrelated to the ACC claimant's return to work, for example being helped by a nurse, or childcare.
Socket A fitting that attaches to a flexible cord and is designed to accept the pins of a plug.
Socket outlet A fitting that forms part of the electrical installation and is designed to accept the pins of a plug.
Software The programs and other operating systems used in a computer.
Soil fixture A sanitary fixture constructed to receive solid and/or liquid excreted human waste. It includes bedpan disposal units, slop sinks, urinals, water closet pans, and water-flushed sanitary towel disposal units.
Solar UV radiation The ultra-violet component of the sun's rays that can damage the skin.
SOLAS Safety of Life at Sea.
SOLAS appliance In relation to a life-saving appliance, means an appliance that is required by maritime rules to meet the requirements for that type of appliance contained in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974.
SOLAS ship Any ship to which the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1974 applies; namely:
(a) a passenger ship engaged on an international voyage: or
(b) a non-passenger ship of 500 tons gross tonnage or more engaged on an international voyage.
Solenoid Electric coil whose flux causes movement of a ferromagnetic core.
Sole packaging In relation to dangerous goods transport means packaging that does not require inner packaging to perform its containment function during transport; and includes a composite packaging.
Sole plate A timber, concrete or metal bearer on a scaffold used to distribute the load from a standard or base plate to the ground.
Solid A substance that is neither a liquid nor a gas.
Solid bulk cargo Any material, other than liquid or gas, consist ing of a combination of particles, granules or any larger pieces of material, generally uniform in composition, that is loaded directly into the cargo spaces of a ship without any intermediate form of containment.
Solid wood processing The processing of logs into rough finished product including work of a portable nature such as sawmilling, chipping, peeling, splitting, drying, mulching and treatment plants.
Solubility A measure of how soluble a substance is. Solubility in water is usually expresses as g/l. Other units include g/100cm3, or % w/v or ppm of water.
Soluble concentrate A liquid, homogeneous formulation to be applied as a true solution of the active ingredient after dilution in water.
Solvent (1) A substance that dissolves or dilutes another.
(2) A volatile substance composed of hydrocarbons, for example, methylated spirits, petrol, kerosene.
Solvent degreasing A degreasing process generally involving the use of the chlorinated hydrocarbons (usually trichloroethylene or perchloroethylene) in either heated liquid or hot vapour form (vapour degreasing).
Solvent neurotoxicity Damage to the central nervous system caused by exposure to organic solvents, leading to fatigue, memory impairment, irritability, difficulty in concentration, and personality and mood change.
SOP Standard Operating Procedure.
SOP Supplementary Order Paper, a late addition to a parliamentary bill.
Sound and accepted engineering practice Engineering practice generally regarded as sound by those members of the engineering profession mainly concerned with the practice and accepted as such by the Secretary of Labour.
Sound power level The total sound energy radiated per unit time, measured in decibels referenced to 1 picowatt using octave bands or A weighting.
Sound transmission class (STC) A single number rating derived from measured values of transmission loss in accordance
with classification ASTM E 413Determination of Sound Transmission Class. It provides an estimate of the performance of a partition in certain common sound insulation situations.
Source Any person, animal, object or substance from which an infectious agent can pass to a host.
Spacer Large-section timber used to separate individual packets of timber.
SPAD (railways) Signal passed at danger.
SPAN The Safety Profiling System used by Maritime New Zealand to assess the risk profile of a vessel in Safe Ship Management.
Span The distance measured along the scaffold member between the centrelines of adjacent supports of the member.
Spar Tree or pole, supported vertically by guys, on which blocks and rigging are hung for cable logging systems.
Spark arrestor Means of preventing hot carbon particles being emitted from an exhaust.
Special forklift attachments These include side-shifts, fork extensions, booms, crane jibs, clamps and rotators etc. i.e. an additional piece of equipment added to the forklift to enable a specialised operation to be carried out. Such equipment may call for additional job-specific training to be undertaken.
Special purpose vehicle A vehicle that is a street sweeper, refuse collector, weed sprayer or road marker.
Special scaffold A scaffold which differs from the standard requirements for standing and suspended scaffolds.
Specialist panels (NODS) Panels of medical and non-medical specialists set up by OSH to review notifications under NODS. There are four panels, covering: asbestos, cancer, chemicals and solvents.
Specialist seatbelt A seatbelt that is designed for specialist purposes; and includes a full harness seatbelt used for motor sport activities.
Specific absorption rate (SAR) The fundamental unit of dose of radiofrequency actually absorbed by a body exposed to radiofrequency fields. Although difficult to measure or calculate, it is useful in comparing exposures at different frequencies (or when trying to extrapolate to people the results of experiments on the exposure of animals to radiofrequency fields). The maximum SAR in publicly accessible areas around most transmitters is about 0.005 W/kg of body weight, but generally less than this figure. The body generates 1-4 W/kg heat from its own metabolism.
Specific gravity A measure of the density of a liquid or solid compared with water.
Specification A description of goods, services, processes, or practices by reference to their nature, quality, design, finish, performance, strength, purity, composition, contents, quantity, dimensions, weight, grade, durability, origin, age or other characteristics, and includes:
(a) a description of goods by reference to a mark on the goods;
(b) a model form of bylaws;
(c) a code of practice;
(d) a glossary of terms;
(e) definitions or symbols.
Specificity Diagnostic specificity is the conditional probability that a person not having a disease will be correctly identified by a clinical test (i.e. the number of true negative results divided by the number of true negative and false positive results.
Specular Reflective, especially from a metal surface.
Special VFR flight A VFR flight cleared by an ATC unit to operate within controlled airspace in meteorological conditions below visual meteorological conditions.
Spikes Fitted to safety footwear to give better traction and grip. Spikes are generally made from steel and are pointy.
Spill containment facilities These facilities can be permanent or temporary and are designed to collect hazardous material, generally released as a result of a traffic accident, to prevent the material entering the environment.
Spindle A shaft, usually part of a machine, on which a removable component or cutting tool is mounted.
Spindle moulder or shaper A machine that moulds or shapes timber to a required shape or design. The shape is determined by the shape of the high-speed cutter fitted into the machine.
Splice Section of rope (hemp, wire, etc.) woven into another piece of rope (e.g. long splice) or back into itself (e.g. eye splice).
Spline A shaft with teeth or serrations formed on the surface running along the shaft (similar to gear teeth), for transmitting rotary motion to a component (e.g. a gear wheel) sitting on the shaft with matching teeth formed on the inside of the bore. May be fixed or sliding on the shaft.
Spool To wind cable smoothly on a drum.
Sport and recreation sector Includes any person or orgganisation involved in sport and recreation in New Zealand.
Spot gun Sprayer used to apply chemicals to individual tree spots.
Spot welding Welding of two or more overlapping sheets of metal, by pressing them together and passing a large electric current through a small area of the sheets, thus heating them and welding them together in a small 'spot'.
spp. Species (multiple).
Sprag A broken wire protruding from worn or damaged rope.
Spray booth A mechanically ventilated structure designed to enclose or accommodate a spray coating operation, and confine and limit the escape of spray vapour and residues by conducting them to an exhaust system. Spray booths are manufactured in a variety of forms, including cabinet, room, tunnel or conveyor types.
Spray coating The process in which any paint, lacquer, adhesive or resinous material containing a flammable liquid is converted into a mist or aerosol and directed on to a surface to produce an evenly distributed film of the required thickness and texture. It does not include chopped-strand spraying or gel coating.
Spraydrift Any unintended off-target migration of an agrichemical.
Spread of flame index (SFI) That index number for spread of flame which is determined according to the standard test method for measuring the properties of lining materials.
Spreader A short length of wire rope, or chain links, between the butt plates or barrel swivels on butt rigging.
Spreader bar A bar used to keep ropes separated.
Sprocket A chainwheel or chain pulley for transmission chain (e.g. those on a push bike).
Sprocket nose Toothed wheel incorporated in the tip of a chainsaw's guide bar.
Sprue The main feed channel in a plastics injection mould which connects the moulding orifice with each runner. This term also names the plastic piece formed in this channel.
Spun cylinder A gas cylinder in which the end closure in the base of the finished cylinder has been forge welded by the spinning process.
Squirrel block Block carrying a counterweight, running on a guy, used to pull rope off a loading drum.
SRR Survival Risk Ratio.
SS Act State Sector Act.
SSB Single side band mode of transmission as used on MF/HF maritime frequencies.
SSBA (Surface Supplied Breathing Apparatus) Diving equipment that supplies breathing gas at the required pressure for the depth, through a diver's hose to a diver, from equipment at the surface.
SSC State Services Commission.
SSM Safe Ship Management.
Stability The condition when the total restoring moments exceed the overturning moments. (See also Instability.)
Stakeholders In relation to an event, those people and organisations who may affect, or be affected by, or perceive themselves to be affected by, a decision or activity - including members, staff and volunteers, event organisers and participants.
Stanchion The upright(s) attached to the bolster or bunk ends, which constrain the load within the width limits of the vehicle. There are three types:
Fixed: The stanchion is attached to the bolster or bunk ends in a fixed permanent position (usually welded) and cannot move relative to the bolster or bunk ends.
Drop: The stanchion is pinned to the bolster or bunk end and can be swung down to release the load. It is held in place by a 'wrap-around strop'.
Drop-in: The stanchion is held in position by two pins. To facilitate piggyback loading of the trailer, one pin may be removed and the stanchion swung inwards, rotating around the other hinge pin.
Stand-by person In relation to a confined space, means a competent person assigned to remain on the outside of, and in close proximity to, the confined space and capable of being in continuous communication with and, if practical, to observe those inside. In addition, where necessary initiate emergency response procedures and operate and monitor equipment used to ensure safety during entry and work in the confined space.
Standard An upright member used for transmitting the weight of the load from the working platforms to the base of the scaffolding.
Standard A specification relating to goods, services, processes, or practices approved or adopted by the Standards Council or another standards organisation, and includes modifications to any such specification.
Standards define quality and establish safety criteria. Standards are varied and exist for things (e.g. safety helmets) and activities (e.g. services).
Standard air Air containing 20.9% oxygen (by volume).
Standard conditions A temperature of 15 oC and an absolute pressure of 101.325 kilopascals. Sometimes referred to as base conditions.
Standards Council, Standards New Zealand The New Zealand Standards Council oversees the development and adoption of Standards and Standards-related products. Standards New Zealand is the trading arm of the Standards Council and represents New Zealand in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
Standard lift A lift that requires no special rigging or load equalisation procedures, i.e. not more than two anchors must be capable of carrying the applied load with the required factor of safety.
Standard mark A mark adopted by the Standards Council in relation to any goods, services, processes, or practices to identify those goods, services, processes, or practices as conforming to a standard.
Standard precautions With reference to infection control procedures, means precautions designed to reduce the risk of spreading organisms from both recognised and unrecognised sources of infection. Standard precautions: apply to all clients; are designed to protect employees; ensure protective attire and equipment is provided and used when in contact with potentially infectious body fluids; are used in conjunction with transmission-based precautions for specific pathogens.
Standard year For the purposes of determining natural lighting, the hours between 8am and 5pm each day with an allowance being made for daylight saving.
Standardised rates Rates that have been statistically adjusted to enable valid comparisons despite differences (such as age and gender) in the structures of the populations being compared.
Standards organisation An international, national, or regional organisation with functions similar to those of the New Zealand Standards Council.
Standing rigging Ropes and guys which are fixed and do not move during an operating cycle.
Standing scaffold A working platform which is supported wholly or partly from its base.
Statement in reply (ERS Authority) The name of the form a respondent must file or lodge with the Authority in response to the applicant's statement of problem. A statement in reply should be filed within 14 days of the respondent receiving the statement of problem. Also called Form 3.
Statement of Problem (ERS Authority) The name of the form an applicant must file or lodge with the Authority (along with a filing fee of $70) if the applicant wishes the Authority to resolve or determine their employment relationship problem. Also called Form 1.
Static and dynamic work Static or isometric work occurs when a muscle contracts but does not vary in length. e.g. data entry. Dynamic work involves rhythmical changes in the length of the muscle as it alternatively contracts and relaxes, so that when sufficient body movement occurs, dynamic movement occurs e.g. running.
Static delimber A delimber consisting of a hydraulically operated knife-set through which trees are pulled. The pulling machine may be a Bell loader, or an excavator loader. The knife-set may be mounted on a trailer, or on skids.
Static line In relation to fall protection means a rope, wire strop or rail secured between two points and possibly at various points along its length in order to support anchor lines, fall arrestors or other fall protection devices.
Static load Stresses on the body increase as a function of body parts remaining immobile for extended periods.
Static Roll Threshold (SRT) The maximum level of steady turning lateral acceleration a vehicle can tolerate without rolling over, which is expressed as a proportion of 'g' where 'g' is the acceleration constant due to gravity (9.81 m/s/s).
Static work Work performed when muscles contract, but where no or little motion occurs in the body.
Static loaded radius (SLR) The standing height from the road surface to the axle centre under nominal load/inflation conditions.
Stationary compaction equipment, self-contained compactor-container
equipment		 (Also referred to as stationary compactors, stationary compaction equipment) Powered machines that remain stationary when in operation, and that are designed to compact refuse into either a detachable or integral container or into a transfer vehicle.
Commercial/industrial stationary compactors are stationary compactors used in commercial businesses; industrial plants; or waste processing, disposal, transfer, and recycling facilities.
Statutory Related to legislation or prescribed in law or regulation.
Statutory reporting The reporting to authorities of statistical and other information about events and incidents significant to public health and which is required by law.
STD Standard.
Steam Water vapour at a pressure equal to or greater than atmospheric and a temperature equal to or greater than 100°C.
STEL Short-Term Exposure Level as described in the WES booklet.
Stellite A hard alloy of cobalt, chromium and tungsten.
Stepped pulley A belt pulley (or series of pulleys) of differing diameters mounted on a shaft. When the belt is shifted from one 'step' to the next, the speed ratio between the driving and driven shafts is changed.
Sterile area That area at an aerodrome between the passenger inspection and screening station and the aircraft into which access is strictly controlled.
Sterilisation A physical or chemical procedure to destroy all microbial life, including highly resistant endospores.
Sterilisation value F0 ('F nought') The time in minutes, at 121.1°C (250°F), that gives the same kill of Clostridium botulinum as the process under evaluation. It includes the sum of all the lethal effects within the container during the process that is equivalent to the period, in minutes, of instantaneous heating and cooling.
Sternlight A white light placed as close as practicable to the ship's stern showing an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 135 degrees and so fixed to show the light from right aft for 67.5 degrees (6 points) on both sides of the vessel.
Sticker A self-adhesive or clinging film, with or without print on it, that is applied for purposes such as advertising, identification, information, decoration or legal reasons.
Stiction Force holding electric contacts together.
Stinger lift truck A vehicle recovery service vehicle with an arm that partially lifts the vehicle to be recovered, which is then towed in this position.
Stockholm Convention (a) Means the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants done at Stockholm on 23 May 2001 and the Annexes to the Convention, a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule IAA [HSNO Amendment Act 2003]; and
(b) includes any amendments to, or substitutions of, the Convention or the Annexes that are, or will become, binding on New Zealand.
Stockcrate A container designed for transporting livestock, which can be secured to a vehicle
Stockcrate retention device One or more restraining devices or lashings to facilitate the attachment of the stockcrate to the deck or chassis of a vehicle.
Stockpile Stacked logs.
Stoneguard overlay A clear overlay that is transparent and that is applied along the bottom edge of a windscreen for the purpose of preventing damage to the windscreen from stones and other debris thrown up by other vehicles.
Storage cabinet In relation to hazardous substances means a cabinet or cupboard with close fitting door(s). Specific guidance on storage cabinet construction can be obtained from AS/NZS 2982 (1987 and/or 1997).
STPD Standard temperature and pressure dry.
Straddle truck A general class of cantilever truck with horizontal, structural wheel-supported members extending forward from the main body of the truck, generally high lift, for picking up and hauling loads between its outrigger arms.
Strain A change in a material's dimensions when a stress is applied.
Strand A component of wire rope consisting of wires wound spirally together, which is then helically laid around a core to form the rope.
Strain (muscular) A strain constitutes those changes indicative of homeostatic disturbance that appear when the stress responses become in sufficient to cope with the imposed load. While stress responses continue to be evoked, they are accompanied by a disturbance or dislocation of a steady or equilibrium state e.g., increase in muscle strain beyond ability to maintain a steady state aerobic metabolism is indicated by an increase in lactic acid output.
Stress The load transmitted per unit area of cross-section, usually expressed in MPa (megapascals).
Stress An interaction between the person and their (work) environment and is the awareness of not being able to cope with the demands of one's environment, when this realisation is of concern to the person, in that both are associated with a negative emotional response.
Stress management Used here to refer to three ways of dealing with workplace hazards that lead to stress and fatigue: eliminate, isolate and minimise. The HSE Act requires that these strategies be considered, in that order of priority. Examples of each are:
- Eliminate: replacing level crossings with bridges so that it is impossible for trains and cars to collide.
- Isolate: confine the work to special purpose areas; confine the performance of the work to specially trained people or teams.
- Minimise: reduce the time of exposure to the stressor, provide prompt performance feedback and training if necessary, select the right people for the work and provide support.
Stress prevention - Primary Prevention: creating a healthy place of work and controlling stressors so that the work is interesting, rewarding and paced within the person's capabilities (i.e. elimination of the hazard).
- Secondary Prevention: improving the fit between the person and the job by selection, on-the-job training, performance feedback and monitoring of problems (i.e. isolation of the hazard to adequately trained and equipped personnel).
- Tertiary Prevention: helping the person suffering from stress (also called minimisation or stress management).
Stressor Events or circumstances which may lead to the perception that physical or psychological demands are about to be exceeded.
Strike An act that
(a) is the act of a number of employees who are or have been in the employment of the same employer or of different employers
(i) in discontinuing that employment, whether wholly or partially, or in reducing the normal performance of it; or
(ii) in refusing or failing after any such discontinuance to resume or return to their employment; or
(iii) in breaking their employment agreements; or
(iv) in refusing or failing to accept engagement for work in which they are usually employed; or
(v) in reducing their normal output or their normal rate of work; and
(b) is due to a combination, agreement, common understanding, or concerted action, whether express or implied, made or entered into by the employees.
Strings Long portions of plastic for dicing or granulation.
Strip burning A fire-lighting pattern where successive strips are lit up-wind of each other.
Stroke (1) The distance travelled by a reciprocating component between the extreme ends of its travel.
(2) Of a simple crank-driven slide equals twice the throw.
Stroke delimber A machine in which delimbing is accomplished by the stroking action sliding a mobile boom through a stationary boom.
Strong back A member connected to a precast concrete element to provide additional strength or support during handling.
Strop Short length of wire rope, chain, or synthetic fibre rope, furnished with hooks or other connecting devices, which forms a noose round the end of the log and which is used for connecting logs to the main extraction rope.
Strut A timber or steel member usually horizontal in compression, resisting thrust or pressure from the face or faces of an excavation.
STS Soft-tissue sarcoma.
Stud A length of rod with a screw thread formed on each end.
Studs Prongs fitted to safety footwear to give better traction and grip. Studs are generally made of steel and are rounded.
Stump The base of a tree, and its roots, left in the ground after felling.
Subcontractor A person engaged otherwise than as an employee by a contractor to work for gain or reward.
Subcutaneous Beneath the skin but not involving muscle.
Subendocardial Under the heart.
Subepicardial Under the membrane that covers the heart.
Submersible craft Any craft that operates with its hull and superstructure fully submerged below the water.
Submission Includes a briefing or paper to the Minister.
Subsidiary risk