We're sorry, but OSHAcademy doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript or install a browser that supports Javascript.

700 Introduction to Safety Management
Skip to main content

Step 3: Controlling Hazards and Exposure

Traditionally, a prioritized Hierarchy of Controls (HOC) has been used to implement hazard and exposure controls to protect workers.

We recommend using the HOC as described in ANSI/ASSP Z10, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems, to control hazards. The six hazard-exposure strategies are discussed below.

Hazard Controls: The first three control methods focus on controlling the hazard.

  1. Elimination: The best solution is to totally eliminate the hazard. For instance, a simple way to eliminate the need to work at elevation is to eliminate the need to use a ladder to change ceiling light bulbs by using a extension pole.
  2. Substitution: Substitution is the next-best solution. For instance, the employer might replace large heavy containers with smaller containers.
  1. Engineering: Hazards are controlled through the design or redesign of equipment and machinery. In this case, printing equipment might be designed to prevent the possibility of a worker getting caught by a rotating shaft. Machines and equipment may be designed with machine safety guards and other types of physical barriers to isolate the hazards from exposure.

Exposure Controls: The final three control methods focus on controlling behaviors to reduce exposure to the hazard. They are prioritized lower because they work only so long as employees comply with the controls' requirements. Unfortunately, safety management systems that rely solely on compliance behaviors are inherently less reliable.

  1. Warnings: Warnings are awareness-level controls that can help to isolate employees from hazards by alerting employees. Warnings may be visual, audible, or both. They may also be tactile. Visual warnings include signs, labels, tags, and lights. Audible warnings include alarms, bells, beepers, sirens, horns, and announcement systems. Tactile warnings may include vibration devices or air fans. For example, a sign would be posted at the entrance a confined space forbidding entry.
  2. Work Practices: These controls are less effective and pose a challenge because supervisors must regularly monitor their employees as they perform tasks. Examples include written safety policies, procedures, rules, supervision, and training. Bottom line, these controls work only so long as employees follow them.
  3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The use of PPE is probably the most common control method used for controlling hazards. PPE forms a barrier between workers and hazards effectively isolating the hazard from the worker. For instance, knee pads might be used to protect the knees when laying carpet.

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.

5-9. Which Hierarchy of Control method controls hazards through design or redesign?