What are "feasible" controls?
Hazard abatement (reduction) measures required to prevent a hazard must be technologically and economically feasible (reasonable) for the employer. This means that the measures required to prevent a possible hazard must be:
- possible given currently available technology, and
- financially reasonable.
Employers must prove controls were not feasible.
OSHA uses the following criteria to determine feasibility of engineering and administrative controls:
- Technical Feasibility. Technical feasibility is the existence of technical know-how as to materials and methods available or adaptable to specific circumstances, which can be applied with a reasonable possibility that employee exposure to hazards will be reduced.
- Economic Feasibility. Economic feasibility means that the employer is financially able to undertake the measures necessary to abate identified hazards. Economic feasibility is a major issue to be considered when imposing hazard controls. OSHA may allow the use of PPE to abate a hazard, at least until such time as engineering controls become a less significant economic burden for the company when the following conditions are met:
- Significant reconstruction of a single establishment involving a capital expenditure which would seriously jeopardize the financial condition of the company and is the only method whereby the employer could achieve effective engineering controls;
- There are no feasible administrative or work practice controls; and
- Adequate personal protective equipment or devices are available.
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3-2. Why might OSHA relax the requirement to use an engineering control to abate a hazard?
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