618 Managing Safety and Health: Construction

Controlling Hazards and Exposure

Information obtained from the various hazard analysis processes is most useful when hazard control strategies are developed and incorporated into the worksite.

It's important to recognize that not all hazard control strategies are equal. Some are more effective than others at reducing the risk in the job.

Remember, a very basic hazard control principle is that we must either (1) eliminate the hazard or (2) control exposure to the hazard. The second principle is that it's more effective to eliminate the hazard, if you can, than to control exposure to the hazard. After all, if you can get rid of the hazard, you do not have to manage the exposure. These two important principles help guide safety and health professionals in constructing a "hierarchy" of hazard control strategies.

Traditionally, a prioritized "Hierarchy of Controls" (HOC) has been used to implement feasible and effective exposure controls to protect workers. We encourage the use of the HOC as described within the ANSI/ASSP Z10, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, to control hazards. The six strategies are discussed below.

2. Substitution: Replace materials, equipment, etc., with something that reduces the hazard to acceptable limits.
3. Engineering Controls: Design the environment, materials, tools, equipment and machines so that they do not present hazards.
4. Warnings: Place OSHA signs (Danger, warning, caution, or safety instruction), audible alarms (klaxon, whistles, buzzers), or tactile warnings (vibration or fans) that alert employees about the presence of hazards.
5. Work Practice Controls: Develop policies, programs, processes, procedures, practices, rules, and signage to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards.
6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE and Fall Protection is used in conjunction with other controls to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards.

The idea behind this hierarchy is that the control methods at the top of the list are potentially more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following the hierarchy normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer systems, ones where the risk of illness or injury has been substantially reduced.

Interim Measures

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.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.