OSHA #511 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry course

When looking at the Hierarchy of Controls, what is the first option to utilize for hazard mitigation?

1. Personal protective equipment

2. Engineering controls

3. Administrative controls

4. Substitution of materials

The correct answer is: Engineering controls

The first option to utilize for hazard mitigation in the Hierarchy of Controls is engineering controls. This approach focuses on eliminating or reducing hazards by designing safer systems, equipment, and processes. Engineering controls aim to isolate employees from hazards by means such as physical barriers, ventilation systems, or machinery redesign, ensuring that risks are minimized at the source. Utilizing engineering controls is beneficial because it addresses the hazard directly, rather than relying on individual behavior or protective measures that may not be consistently applied. By implementing these controls first, workplaces can create a safer environment more effectively and sustainably, as they often involve changes that remain in place even when employees are not wearing protective equipment or following administrative protocols.