The Hierarchy of Controls

 

The Hierarchy of Controls

Steps to eliminate or reduce hazards

Are you familiar with the Control Hierarchy? It's a framework and visual guide for controlling workplace hazards and protecting employees that features an inverted pyramid.

The most effective controls are at the top of the hierarchy. Then it descends to those deemed least effective. According to NIOSH, the hierarchy is as follows:

limination: Remove the hazard physically.

Substitution: Replace the hazard with a less dangerous option.

Engineering controls: Isolate people from the hazard using engineering controls.

Administrative controls: Change the way people work through administrative controls.

Personal protective equipment: (PPE): PPE protects the worker.

 

Elimination

Remove the hazard physically

Elimination eliminates the hazard at the source,This could include changing the work process to avoid using a toxic chemical, heavy object, or sharp tool." It is the preferred solution for worker protection because no exposure can occur.

Although elimination and substitution are the most effective methods of reducing hazards, they are often the most difficult to implement for an existing process.

If the process is still in the design or development stage, hazard elimination and substitution may be inexpensive and simple to implement. Significant changes in equipment and procedures may be required for an existing process.

Risk is likely to be involved once you move below elimination on the hierarchy.

You could possibly get to zero risk with substitution, but only elimination accomplishes that by completely removing the hazard.

Substitution

Replace the hazard with a less dangerous option

Substitution can take many different forms. Minimization and simplification are two that come from the chemical industry.

Minimization includes using less of a hazardous material, using a lower voltage of energy, and operating at lower temperatures or pressures.

The process of reducing unnecessary complexity, confusion caused by instructions, labels, or signs, or the number of steps required to complete a task is known as simplification.

simplification can also be considered a type of substitution,You're substituting something simpler for something more complex." That way, you're increasing dependability.

Engineering controls

Isolate people from the hazard using engineering controls

Engineering controls to keep workers safe from hazards include ventilation guardrails, and machine guards.

 

Administrative controls

Change the way people work through administrative controls

Administrative controls include rotating workers to limit their exposure to a hazardous substance, scheduling work at cooler times of day during the summer, and restricting access to a potentially hazardous area in the workplace.

Administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are frequently used with existing processes where hazards are not particularly well controlled, adding that these two types of controls are relatively inexpensive at first but can be very costly to sustain.This is because they may necessitate extensive oversight or ongoing training and supervision.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE protects the worker

When it comes to PPE, the safety world has long advised: don't just use it without first exploring other control options.

You shouldn't always take the easiest path or use it as a permanent solution when there are other options that are probably more reliable and effective in the long run.

How to use the hierarchy

Employers are advised to: in addition to using the hierarchy to "identify and evaluate options," they should:

• Involve workers, who often have firsthand knowledge of hazardous conditions and insights into how to control them.

• Use a hazard control plan to guide control selection and implementation and apply controls in accordance with the plan.

• Assess the effectiveness of controls to see if they are still effective or if different controls are more effective. Examine new technologies for their potential to be more protective, dependable, or less expensive.

• Create plans that include safeguards for workers during emergencies and non-routine activities.