AccidentAn event causing injury, ill-health or property damage.

AuditAn objective comparison of actions to policies andplans.

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) SystemA transportation network that automatically routesone or more material handling devices, such as cartsor pallet trucks, and positions them at predetermineddestinations without operator intervention.

BarcodeA series of alternating bars and spaces printed orstamped on parts, containers, labels, or other media,representing encoded information that can be readby electronic readers. A bar code is used to facilitatetimely and accurate input of data to a computersystem.

Container Security Initiative (CSI)A program of the U.S. government which seeks toensure that containers entering the country's portsare scanned and deemed safe before departingtheir country of origin.

Corrective maintenanceThe maintenance required to restore an item to asatisfactory condition.

CounterbalanceWhen the weight of a lift truck offsets the weight ofthe load it carries.

Cross-dockingThe process of moving items directly from an incom-ing trailer or container to an outgoing trailer or con-tainer with little or no storage time in between.

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Cross-functional teamA set of individuals from various departmentsassigned to a specific task such as implementingnew computer software.

Cross-trainingProviding training or experience in several differentareas (e.g. training an employee on severalmachines). Cross-training provides backup workersin case the primary operator is not available.

Customer relationship management (CRM)A marketing philosophy based on putting the customerfirst. The collection and analysis of informationdesigned for sales and marketing decision support(as contrasted to enterprise resources planninginformation) to understand and support existing andpotential customer needs. It includes account man-agement, catalog and order entry, payment process-ing, credits and adjustments, and other functions.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism(C-TPAT):A voluntary system established by the U.S. Bureauof Customs and Border Protection with the primarygoal of creating and environment of close cooperationbetween U.S. importers, carriers and internationalexporters to the United States.

DemandA need for a particular product or component.

Distribution centersA warehouse with finished goods and/or serviceitems.

Dock board (dock plate)A board or plate used to bridge the gap betweena dock and trailer opening that allows people orequipment to move safely from one platform toanother.

ErgonomicsApproach to job design that focuses on the interac-tions between human operator and such traditionalenvironmental elements as atmospheric contami-nants, heat light, sound, and all tools and equipment.

External auditAn audit conducted by a third party (anothercompany or department).

Free and Secure Trade (FAST)An agreement between the United States, Canadaand Mexico which aims to speed transport of goodsbetween countries while ensuring safety and securityof the general population.

Grounding (electrical)Connecting electrical equipment and wiring systemsto the earth with a wire or other conductor to reducethe risk of serious electrical shock

Hazardous material (hazmat)Any substance or material capable of posing andunreasonable treat to the health and/or safety of thegeneral population.

Internal auditAn audit conducted by someone from within thecompany or department.

Job hazard analysisA technique that focuses on job tasks as a way toidentify hazards before they occur. It focuses on therelationship between the worker, the task, the tools,and the work environment.

Lean productionA philosophy of production that emphasizes thatminimization of the amount of all the resources(including time) used in the various activities of theenterprise. It involves identifying and eliminatingnon-value-adding activities in design, production,supply chain management, and dealing withcustomers.

Material handlingThe movement of items from one point to anotherinside a facility or between facilities.

Near missA safety incident in which an accident does not occur,but came close to occurring.

Non-conformityFailure to fulfill a specified requirement.

Order processingThe activity required to administratively process acustomer's order and make it ready for shipment orproduction.

PackagingMaterials surrounding an item to protect it fromdamage during transportation. The type of packaginginfluences the danger of such damage.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Equipment worn by workers to protect them fromharm, including steel toed boots, gloves, goggles,ear plugs, etc.

Preventive maintenance:The activities, including· adjustments, replacements,and basic cleanliness, that forestall machine break-downs. The purpose is to ensure that productionquality is maintained and that delivery schedulesare met. In addition, a machine that is well caredfor will last longer and cause fewer problems.

Project teamAn inclusive term incorporating the workers assignedto the project, the project managers, and sometimesthe project sponsor.

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Quality auditA systematic, independent examination and reviewto determine whether quality activities and related re-sults comply with planned arrangements and whetherthese arrangements are implemented effectively andare suitable to achieve the objectives.

Quality controlThe process of measuring quality conformanceby comparing the actual with a standard for thecharacteristic and acting on the difference.

Radio frequency identification (RFID)A system using electronic tags to store data aboutitems. Accessing these data is accomplished througha specific radio frequency and does not require closeproximity or line-of-sight access for data retrieval.

ReceivingThe function encompassing the physical receiptof material, the inspection of the shipment forconformance with the purchase order (quantityand damage), the identification and delivery todestination, and the preparation of receiving reports.

Recycle:1) The reintroduction of partially processed productor carrier solvents from one operation or task intoa previous operation. 2) A recirculation process.

Safety incidentAn unplanned, undesired event that hinders comple-tion of a task and may cause injury or other damage.

Six SigmaA methodology that furnishes tools for the improve-ment of business processes. The intent is to de-crease process variation and improve product quality.

SOPStandard operating procedure.

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Stock1) Items in inventory. 2) Stored products or serviceparts ready for sale, as distinguished from stores,which are usually components or raw materials.

Supply1) The quantity of goods available for sale. 2) Theactual or planned replenishment of a product orcomponent. The replenishment quantities arecreated in response to a demand for the productor component or in anticipation of such a demand.

Supply chainThe global network used to deliver products andservices from raw materials to end customersthrough an engineered flow of information, physicaldistribution, and cash.

Total Quality Management (TQM)A termed coined to describe Japanese-style manage-ment approaches to quality improvement. TOM isbased on the participation of all members of anorganization in improving processes, goods, services,and the culture in which they work.

Transportation management system (TMS)A computerized system to manage the operation oftransportation systems including deciding on modesof transportation, planning imports and exports,planning and controlling fleet service activities,and load planning and optimization.

Warehouse management system (WMS)A system that manages all processes that awarehouse carries out. These processes includereceiving, picking, and shipping.

Work teamsTeams of employees formed to shepherda particular work area or function.