Engineering Controls
The basic concept behind engineering controls is that, to the extent feasible, tools, equipment, and machinery should be modified, or engineered, to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury.
While this approach is considered "engineering" control, it does not necessarily mean that an engineer is required to design the control. Modifying equipment or machinery may be expensive, but remember, the cost per medically consulted injury can be more than $42,000, and the cost per death $1,500,000 or more. The benefits of this approach still far outweigh the costs.
Engineering controls do not necessarily have to be expensive or complicated. They can be quite simple in some cases. Engineering controls are based on the following broad strategies:
- If feasible, modifying the tools, equipment, machinery, materials and/or facility.
- Enclosing the hazard to prevent exposure in normal operations; and
- If complete enclosure is not feasible, installing barriers or local ventilation to reduce exposure to the hazard in normal operations.
Some examples of this strategy include:
- Modifying a process to reduce exposure to a hazardous moving part;
- Modifying a work station to relieve physical stress and remove ergonomic hazards; or
- Modifying general ventilation with sufficient fresh outdoor air to improve indoor air quality and generally to provide a safe, healthful atmosphere.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
8-4. Engineering controls reduce the risk of injury or illness through equipment _____.
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