Presenting Definitions
Industry procedures contain many technical terms that workers need defined for clarity and comprehension. Definitions should specifically be included when (Ockerman, 2007):
- Definitions clarify terms (improving both worker and procedure writer understanding).
- There are terms unique to the procedure regarding how to perform a procedure safely, correctly, and consecutively.
Common practice is for industry terms used within the procedure to be defined in a glossary of terms located in an easily accessible location (CCPS, 1996).
Guideline 1: The Accessibility of Definitions
Common practice is to have definitions included in an appendix instead of within the procedure between sections.
Support
Definitions of technical terms relevant to the procedure should be located in an appendix of the procedure (CCPS, 1996).
Example
Within Procedure:
Press button B-101 on the static mixer (see Appendix A).
In appendix:
Press button B-101 on the static mixer (see Appendix A).
In appendix:
Guideline 2: Inclusion of Definitions for Infrequently Performed Tasks
Common practice has been for definitions of industry-specific terms to be included within the procedure for infrequently performed tasks.
Support
Workers are likely less familiar with industry-specific terms within infrequently performed task procedures (Bullemer and Hajdukiewicz, 2004).
Example
Correct:
Definitions to be included for infrequently performed tasks:
Incorrect:
Frequent, or well-known terms should be defined in a remote glossary of terms rather than within the procedure itself:
Definitions to be included for infrequently performed tasks:
Incorrect:
Frequent, or well-known terms should be defined in a remote glossary of terms rather than within the procedure itself: