HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS

There are multiple safeguards to control any single hazard. Each level of these safeguards serves to protect employees. Some safeguards or controls are more effective than others. The hierarchy of controls outlines the controls used to mitigate a most effective to least effective hazard.

The hierarchy can have additional or fewer levels of controls listed depending on the reference you are looking at. The hierarchy we will discuss is listed as elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE in our example.

Hierarchy of Controls Example

To better understand the hierarchy of controls, we will provide a real-world example. An example: A painter will apply a paint with a high level of VOCs to a metal surface in a factory.

Elimination: Eliminate the hazard. Paint example: The process can be outsourced or completed by an automated process to take the painter out of the situation.

Substitution: Substitute a more hazardous process or chemical with a less hazardous one. Paint example: Use paint with a lower VOC content to protect the painter. There is almost always a less hazardous option when dealing with chemicals.

Engineering: Engineer out hazards. For example- equipment guards, physical barriers, isolation, ventilation systems, etc., are examples are engineering controls. Paint example: Apply the paint in a paint booth with a proper ventilation system. This will help protect the painter and other employees in the factory.

Administrative: Administrative controls include job training, job rotation, breaks, company policies, etc. Paint example: Train the painter to complete the task safely. Another example- use job rotations or breaks to limit the painter’s exposure to the paint.

PPE: Personal protective equipment covers items such as gloves, respirators, steel toe shoes, safety glasses, and earplugs. Paint example: Provide a respirator that will protect the painter from the fumes of the paint. Also, provide goggles to protect the eyes and some type of coveralls to protect the skin.

We should always strive to eliminate as many hazards as possible. If elimination is not possible then other controls lower on the hierarchy should be implemented to protect employees. PPE is always a last resort and should never be looked at as a primary control for a hazard. The more safeguards in place for a hazard the least likely an incident will occur. Always verify controls are in place and never just assume that they are.