Glossary
Browse the IADC Lexicon alphabetically or by category. Get comprehensive definitions of drilling industry terms.
SDS
Definition(s)
SDS
Safety data sheet [formerly known as material safety data sheet (MSDS)]. Source: API RP 2D, Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes, Seventh Edition, December 2014. Global StandardsSDS
Safety Data Sheets. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global Standards Source:API RP T-1, Creating Orientation Programs for Personnel Going Offshore, Fifth Edition, November 2016. Global StandardsSCBA
Definition(s)
SCBA
self-contained breathing apparatus. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsPAPR
Definition(s)
PAPR
powered air-purifying respirator. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOVM
Definition(s)
OVM
organic vapor monitor. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOSRO
Definition(s)
OSRO
oil spill removal organization Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsATV
Definition(s)
ATV
all-terrain vehicle. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsVOC
Definition(s)
VOC
volatile Organic Compound. Source: API STD 521, Pressure-relieving and Depressuring Systems, Sixth Edition, January 2014. Global Standards Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsVOC
Organic compound that participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsTarballs
Definition(s)
Tarballs
Discrete, and usually pliable, globules of weathered oil, ranging from mostly oil to highly emulsified with varying amount of debris and/or sediment. NOTE Tarballs may vary in size from millimeters to 20–30 centimeters across, and depending on exactly how “weathered,” or hardened, the outer layer of the tarball is, sheen may or may not be present. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsTime-weighted Average
Definition(s)
Time-weighted Average
Average airborne exposure in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour workweek that shall not be exceeded (see 29 CFR 1910.1000, Table Z2). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsParticulate Matter
Definition(s)
Particulate Matter
Suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air, such as dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, or sprays. NOTE Particulate matter suspended in air is commonly known as an aerosol. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOil Spill Removal Organization
Definition(s)
Oil Spill Removal Organization
Any person or persons who owns or otherwise controls oil spill removal resources that are designed for, or are capable of, removing oil from the water or shoreline, providing response equipment and services, individually or in combination with subcontractors or associated contractors, under contract or other means approved by the President, directly to an owner or operator of a facility or tank vessel required to have a response plan under 33 USC 1321(j)(5). NOTE 1 Control of such resources through means other than ownership includes leasing or subcontracting of equipment or, in the case of trained personnel, by having contracts, evidence of employment, or consulting agreements. NOTE 2 OSROs must be able to mobilize and deploy equipment or trained personnel and remove, store, and transfer recovered oil. NOTE 3 Persons such as sales and marketing organizations (e.g. distributorships and manufacturer's representatives) that warehouse or store equipment for sale are not OSROs. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOEL
Definition(s)
OEL
occupational exposure limit Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOEL
Upper limit of the acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in the environment for a particular material or substance typically established by an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsOccupational Exposure Limit
Definition(s)
Occupational Exposure Limit
Upper limit of the acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in the environment for a particular material or substance typically established by an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsNonroutine Responder
Definition(s)
Nonroutine Responder
Individual responders who do not have experience in oil spill response, who are not affiliated with an oil spill removal organization (OSRO), and who have not received training in accordance with OSHA regulation under 29 CFR 1910.120 prior to introduction to response theater. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsLower Explosive (Flammable) Limit
Definition(s)
Lower Explosive (Flammable) Limit
Minimum concentration of combustible gas or vapor in air (expressed in percent of gas or vapor in air by volume) below which propagation of flame does not occur on contact with an ignition source. NOTE Lower flammable limit (LFL) is synonymous with lower explosive limit (LEL. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsJob Hazard Analysis
Definition(s)
Job Hazard Analysis
Safety management technique that is used to anticipate and identify hazards in order to make decisions to appropriately control the hazards associated with a process, job, or procedure. NOTE Any job that has actual or potential hazards is a candidate for a JHA. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsISB
Definition(s)
ISB
in situ burning. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsISB
Burning oil in place (Latin, “in situ”) is a response technique used to lessen the amount of the oil reaching sensitive areas, which can be employed when the thickness of the oil is sufficient to sustain combustion and can be used on both water and land. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global Standardsin situ Burning
Definition(s)
in situ Burning
Burning oil in place (Latin, “in situ”) is a response technique used to lessen the amount of the oil reaching sensitive areas, which can be employed when the thickness of the oil is sufficient to sustain combustion and can be used on both water and land. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsIC
Definition(s)
IC
Incident Commander. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsIC
Inspection category. Source: Rules for Classification – Offshore units, DNVGL-OU-0101, Offshore drilling and support units, DNV GL, July 2015. Global StandardsIC
Individual responsible for the overall management of the response—responsible for all aspects of the response, including developing incident objectives and managing all incident operations, setting priorities, and defining the Incident Command System (ICS) organization for the particular response. NOTE 1 Even if other positions are not assigned, the IC is always designated. NOTE 2 The IC may assign deputies, who may be from the same agency or from assisting agencies; deputies may also be used at section and branch levels of the ICS organization. NOTE 3 Deputies must have the same qualifications as the person for whom they work, as they must be ready to take over that position at any time. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsIncident Commander
Definition(s)
Incident Commander
Individual responsible for the overall management of the response—responsible for all aspects of the response, including developing incident objectives and managing all incident operations, setting priorities, and defining the Incident Command System (ICS) organization for the particular response. NOTE 1 Even if other positions are not assigned, the IC is always designated. NOTE 2 The IC may assign deputies, who may be from the same agency or from assisting agencies; deputies may also be used at section and branch levels of the ICS organization. NOTE 3 Deputies must have the same qualifications as the person for whom they work, as they must be ready to take over that position at any time. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsFlame-resistant Clothing
Definition(s)
Flame-resistant Clothing
Clothing that is treated with chemicals and/or made of material that resists igniting if the responder is exposed to fire or heat. NOTE 1 Flame-resistant clothing helps to protect responders, for instance, such as those responders in the igniter boat during ISB. NOTE 2 The clothing should be cleaned, maintained, and regularly inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. NOTE 3 Some flame-resistant clothing may lose its protective qualities after repeated or improper cleanings. Wearing any flammable clothing over flame-resistant clothing negates the flame-resistant protection. NOTE 4 Flame-resistant clothing should be selected in accordance with 29 CFR Subpart I (Personal Protective Equipment), Section 1910.132 (General Requirements). Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsExclusion Zone
Definition(s)
Exclusion Zone
Zone that is usually set up in the immediate area surrounding the spilled material or incident scene. NOTE Access to the exclusion zone should be controlled for accountability purposes as well as contamination control purposes. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsHot Zone
Definition(s)
Hot Zone
Zone that is usually set up in the immediate area surrounding the spilled material or incident scene. NOTE Access to the exclusion zone should be controlled for accountability purposes as well as contamination control purposes. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsHot Zone
The area around the entrance to the inerted confined space most likely to be affected by effluent gases; sometimes called the “restricted area. Source: API Standards 2217A, Guidelines for Safe Work in Inert Confined Spaces in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Fourth Edition, July 2009. Global StandardsClaustrophobia
Definition(s)
Claustrophobia
Fear of having no escape and being enclosed in small spaces or rooms. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsBenzene
Definition(s)
Benzene
Known carcinogen that is a natural component of coal and petroleum; a colorless liquid hydrocarbon highly flammable and toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and absorption; and an aromatic compound with a sweet smell. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsAssigned Protection Factor
Definition(s)
Assigned Protection Factor
Workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to a population of properly fitted and trained users. NOTE For example, an APF of 10 for a respirator means that a user could expect to inhale no more than one tenth of the airborne contaminant present. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsAPF
Definition(s)
APF
Workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected to provide to a population of properly fitted and trained users. NOTE For example, an APF of 10 for a respirator means that a user could expect to inhale no more than one tenth of the airborne contaminant present. Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsAPF
assigned protection factor Source: API RP 98, Personal Protective Equipment Selection for Oil Spill Responders, First Edition, August 2013. Global StandardsAbsorption
Definition(s)
Absorption
Penetration of a chemical substance, a pathogen, or radiant energy through the skin or mucous membrane that occurs when the chemicals are transported from the outer surface of the skin into the systemic circulation.- NOTE: Should this occur, the chemical then moves through the circulatory system, which depending on the properties of the chemical could cause organ damage or illness.