Interim Measures
Interim measures are crucial for maintaining safety while more permanent solutions are being prepared.
Using a lower priority hazard control method over another higher priority control strategy may be appropriate for providing interim (temporary) protection until the hazard is abated permanently.
If you can't eliminate the hazard entirely, the interim control measures will likely be a combination of control methods used together. OSHA believes that feasible interim measures are always available if higher-level control methods are not possible.
They must be carefully managed to ensure they are effective and do not become permanent substitutes for more effective controls. Often, the implementation of interim measures requires constant evaluation to ensure that they provide adequate protection and are replaced with more permanent solutions as soon as feasible.
Examples of interim measures include the following:- Elimination and Substitution:
- Temporary Cease of Operation: If a machine is identified as highly hazardous and a safer replacement is being sourced, operations involving that machine might be temporarily halted.
- Use of Safer Chemicals: While a process change or technology upgrade that completely eliminates the use of a toxic chemical is being developed, a less toxic substitute might be used as an interim measure.
- Engineering Controls:
- Portable Ventilation: If a permanent ventilation system is needed to control exposure to airborne contaminants but is not yet installed, portable ventilation units might be used temporarily.
- Temporary Machine Guarding: While permanent guards are being manufactured or installed, temporary barriers or shields may be put in place to prevent access to moving parts of machinery.
- Administrative Controls:
- Modified Work Schedules: To reduce exposure to hazards during peak times of risk, work schedules could be temporarily adjusted, such as limiting the number of hours workers are exposed to a hazardous environment.
- Temporary Restriction of Access: Restricting access to certain high-risk areas only to essential personnel until more permanent safety measures can be established.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Enhanced PPE: In situations where exposure to a hazard has increased temporarily (e.g., during a specific task or project), additional or more advanced PPE may be required until the hazard can be controlled through higher-level measures. For example, using respirators with a higher protection factor during an increase in airborne contaminants.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
2-9. Taping down wires to temporarily reduce the likelihood of tripping is an example of _____.
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