Controlling hazards is essential for maintaining a safe working environment and protecting individuals from potential harm. The primary approach involves implementing measures that reduce the likelihood and severity of risks associated with identified hazards.
Understanding Hazard Control
Hazard control focuses on putting barriers in place between a person and a hazard, or removing the hazard entirely. Effective hazard control follows a systematic approach, often prioritizing methods that are most effective and reliable.
Methods for Controlling Hazards
Based on standard safety principles, including the information provided, controlling hazards involves applying a hierarchy of controls. This hierarchy prioritizes control measures based on their effectiveness in reducing risk. The most effective controls are at the top, while the least effective are at the bottom.
Here are the key methods for controlling hazards, listed from most to least effective:
- Eliminate the Hazard:
- Action: Remove it completely from your workplace.
- Explanation: This is the most effective control because the hazard no longer exists. If the hazard is removed, the risk it posed is also eliminated.
- Example: Removing a dangerous chemical from a process and finding a way to complete the task without it.
- Substitute the Hazard:
- Action: Replace it with a safer alternative.
- Explanation: This involves replacing a hazardous material or process with one that is less hazardous.
- Example: Replacing a solvent-based paint with a water-based paint, or using a less noisy machine.
- Isolate the Hazard:
- Action: Keep it away from workers as much as possible.
- Explanation: This involves physically separating people from the hazard. This doesn't remove the hazard but prevents contact.
- Example: Using barriers, enclosures, or separate rooms for noisy machinery or hazardous substances.
- Use Engineering Controls:
- Action: Implement physical changes to the work environment or process.
- Explanation: These controls are built into the equipment or process to reduce exposure to the hazard. They act on the source of the hazard or the path it takes.
- Example: Installing ventilation systems to remove hazardous fumes, using machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts, or designing equipment for easier lifting.
- Use Administrative Controls:
- Action: Change the way people work.
- Explanation: These controls involve implementing procedures, work practices, and training to reduce exposure. They are less effective than engineering controls because they rely on human behavior.
- Example: Implementing safety procedures, providing training on safe work practices, rotating job assignments to reduce exposure time, or posting warning signs.
- Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
- Action: Provide equipment for workers to protect themselves.
- Explanation: PPE includes gear worn by individuals to protect them from residual hazards. It is the least effective control measure because it does not eliminate or reduce the hazard itself and relies on correct usage and maintenance.
- Example: Wearing safety glasses, gloves, hard hats, respirators, or earplugs.
Ideally, hazards are controlled using methods higher up in the hierarchy (Elimination, Substitution, Isolation, Engineering Controls) before resorting to Administrative Controls and PPE. Often, a combination of these controls is used to manage risks effectively.
