Controlling Risk Factors
Rid the Job of Risk Factors
Analyzing jobs to identify factors associated with risks for MSDs lays the groundwork for developing ways to reduce or eliminate ergonomic risk factors for MSDs.
The 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.
- Elimination: Completely eliminate the hazard so that it cannot cause an accident. This is your first priority, if feasible.
- Substitution: Replace materials, equipment, etc., with something that reduces the hazard to acceptable limits.
- Engineering controls: Design the environment, materials, tools, equipment and machines so that they do not present hazards.
- 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.
- Work Practice Controls: Develop mandatory procedures and rules that reduce the possibility of exposure to hazards.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): PPE helps to prevent contact with hazards and is used in conjunction with other controls.
As you'll see, the highest priority hazard control strategy is "elimination." The highest priority exposure control method is the use of engineering controls. No matter which control method is selected, the most important strategy is to totally eliminate the hazard or exposure. If elimination is not possible, substitution that reduces the severity of the hazard or exposure, is the next-best strategy.
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.
5-1. Which of the following hazard control strategies is potentially most effective?
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