Hazard Prevention & Control - Action 2

Action Item 2: Select controls.

Employers should select the controls that are the most practicable, effective, and long-lasting.

From least to most effective, here are the levels of hazard prevention:

• Personal protective equipment
• Administrative controls
• Engineering controls
• Substitution
• Elimination

Selecting the proper controls will allow workers to successfully do the following:

• Eliminate or control all serious hazards (hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm) immediately
• Use interim controls while management develops and implements longer-term solutions
• Select controls according to a hierarchy that emphasizes engineering solutions (including elimination or substitution) first, followed by safe work practices, administrative controls, and finally personal protective equipment
• Avoid selecting controls that may directly or indirectly introduce new hazards. Examples include exhausting contaminated air into occupied work spaces or using hearing protection that makes it difficult to hear backup alarms.
• Review and discuss control options with workers to ensure that controls are feasible and effective
• Use a combination of control options when no single method fully protects workers

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