• Effective hazard control measures range from eliminating the hazard (most effective) to wearing PPE (least effective).

The functions of effective control measures include:

• Protecting employees from workplace hazards;
• Helping avoid injuries, illnesses, and incidents;
• Minimizing or eliminating safety and health risks; and
• Helping employers provide safe and healthful working conditions.

The employer will select the controls that are the most feasible, effective, and permanent for the site. The “hierarchy of controls,” from most effective to least effective, is as follows:

1. Eliminate or remove the hazard;
2. Substitute or replace the hazard;
3. Use engineering controls to isolate people from the hazard;
4. Use administrative controls to reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazards;
5. Use safe work practices; and
6. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) around the hazard.

Eliminating a hazard could be as simple as noticing a sharp object and safely removing it or seeing a cord stretched across a pathway and putting this tripping hazard away. Both of these scenarios involve identifying and removing a hazard. An employer could also replace a safer chemical for a more hazardous one, thereby controlling the hazard by substitution.

Engineering controls are physical changes at the site to isolate people from the hazard or otherwise eliminate or reduce the hazard on the job or during the task. Examples include changing a process to minimize contact with hazardous substances, isolating or enclosing a process, using wet methods to reduce generation of dusts or other particulates, ventilating to dilute the air, using fume hoods, or using remotely operated equipment.

Administrative controls are policies and practices that reduce the duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazards. This control measure includes, but is not limited to: job rotation, shortened shift lengths, limiting overtime, taking frequent breaks, decreasing production rates, and increasing the number of employees assigned to a task.

Safe work practices are sometimes called “standing orders.” They are an element of the Site Control Plan and contribute to safety awareness. Anyone entering the site should be made aware of the expected safe work practices. A list may be maintained at the command post and access control points.

Some common safe work practices at a hazardous waste cleanup site are offered in the Engineering, administrative, and work practice controls section.

Employees could be reminded of safe work practices during daily job briefs. Whenever there is a new employee or a new project, a briefing should be provided about hazardous substances that might be encountered.

Standard Operating Procedures (or SOPs) are detailed documents that have steps for safety built into them and ensure each employee performs the task consistently. Of course, SOPs are only effective if they’re followed. They are used for many tasks, such as decontamination, selecting and inspecting PPE, entering confined spaces, handling drums, and locking out equipment.

The process of eliminating or substituting hazards and putting engineering, administrative, and work practice controls in place will help to mitigate many hazards. However, when hazards remain, there’s one more control method that employers may be required to provide to protect their workers — PPE.

PPE can help employees perform tasks within or alongside hazards, such as hazardous substances, noise, elevated surfaces, or electrical hazards. But, as important as PPE is, it has its limitations. PPE does not control the hazard; it merely controls exposure to the hazard by setting a barrier between the employee and the hazard. PPE is not suitable for all situations. For example, no single type of glove can protect against all solvents.