Elimination and Substitution
Simply stated, elimination removes a hazard, and substitution replaces a hazard.
These strategies are considered first because they are most effective in completely eliminating the hazard.
Removing or replacing equipment or machinery may be expensive, but remember, according to the National Safety Council, the total economic cost of a work-related medically-consulted injury is over $41,000, and $1,200,000 per death.
Elimination and substitution, while most effective at reducing hazards, tend to be the most difficult to implement in an existing process. If the process is still at the design or development stage, the elimination and substitution of hazards may be inexpensive and simple to implement. However, for an existing process, major changes in equipment and procedures may be quite expensive.
Some examples of these two strategies include:
- Removing the source of excessive temperatures, noise, or pressure
- Substituting a toxic chemical with a less toxic or non-toxic chemical
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-2. Why is elimination considered the first/top hazard control strategy?
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