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667 HAZWOPER for General Site Workers VIII
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Hazard Controls

The 3 lower-level HOC controls focus on modifying behaviors to reduce exposure to confined space hazards.

These controls are generally used in conjunction with elimination, substitution, and engineering controls.

  1. Warnings: Warnings do not prevent exposure to a hazard, but they do provide a visual or audible indicator to warn people of potential danger.
  2. Sign showing danger confined space warning
    Warning signs are used to prevent unauthorized entry into confined spaces.

    They can be either visual, audible, or both. They may also be tactile. Confined spaces must have warning signs that forbid unauthorized entry.

    Some other examples of warnings are:

    • Visual: Signs, labels, tags, and flashing/strobe lights.
    • Audible: Alarms, bells, beepers, sirens, announcement system and horns.
    • Tactile: Vibration devices or air fans.
  1. Work Practice Controls: These control methods, also called administrative controls, eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards through changes in work practices. Examples include:
    • Proper lifting techniques: Use of proper lifting techniques can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries.
    • Housekeeping: Implementing good housekeeping practices, such as regular cleaning and removal of items in the workspace.
    • Tool maintenance: Regular inspection, maintenance, and replacement of tools can prevent damaged or malfunctioning equipment.
    • Safe chemical handling: Proper handling, labeling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
    • Limiting exposure duration: Implementing work schedules that limit the amount of time workers spend in hazardous environments.
  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): If the hazard cannot be adequately eliminated or reduced to a safe level through the above controls, PPE should be used in conjunction with those controls.

    Wearing respiratory protection is a safe work practice protecting this worker in confined spaces.

    A qualified person should determine the PPE needed by personnel entering the confined space, including rescue teams.

    PPE should be selected according to the requirements of the job to be performed and OSHA standards. Examples include:

    • respiratory protection,
    • eye, ear, hand/arm, and face/head protection, and
    • protective clothing.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-3. What is an example of an administrative control?