What is safety control hierarchy?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

Safety control hierarchy refers to the controlling of hazardous exposures to employees in a workplace, and it consists of five key elements: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Here is a detailed look at each element in the safety control hierarchy; these are listed in order of most effective to least effective:

Elimination. Elimination is the most effective strategy in the safety control hierarchy. It removes the hazard at the source. This can include plans like ceasing the use of a toxic chemical, heavy work-related object, or sharp tool.
This is the best and most preferred safety control strategy because it keeps workers from any kind of exposure to the hazard.
Substitution. This is the next most effective strategy in the safety control hierarchy. It consists of substituting the hazardous source with a less hazardous source, or ideally, a source that is not hazardous in any way.
However, when employed, it is important to consider the new hazards that may present themselves with this substitution and to compare these potential risks with the risks of the original. The most effective substitutes lower the potential for harmful effects and do not create new risks.
Engineering controls. Engineering controls can prevent or reduce the risk of hazards employees come into contact with. This may include plans to modify certain equipment or the work environment.
Examples of modifying the workplace include using protective barriers and installing ventilation.
The most effective engineering controls are part of the original design of the equipment being used, remove or block the hazard at the source, prevent workers from modifying or interfering with the controls, require only minimal user input for effective use, and function optimally without inferring with the work procedures or making the work process more difficult.
Administrative controls. Administrative controls employ work practices and procedures that reduce the amount of time, frequency, or volume of exposure to hazards.
Strategies in this pillar include work procedure training, role rotation, ensuring optimal rest breaks for employees, limiting employees' access to hazardous materials, substances, or equipment, and adjusting assembly line speeds.
Personal protective equipment (PPE). At the very bottom of the safety control hierarchy is PPE. Employers should not solely rely on PPE for hazard prevention and mitigation.
PPE is protective gear that can be worn by workers to mitigate their exposure to hazards or danger. Examples of PPE include hard hats, protective eyewear, gloves, hearing protection, and respirators.