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

Which of the following is NOT one of the hierarchy of controls?

1. Administrative controls

2. Environmental controls

3. Elimination

4. Engineering controls

The correct answer is: Environmental controls

The hierarchy of controls is a systematic approach used to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards in the workplace. It consists of several levels of control measures that prioritize methods based on their effectiveness in reducing risks. In this hierarchy, the most effective controls are placed at the top, while less effective methods are found lower down. The three main categories of control measures in the hierarchy include elimination, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. Elimination refers to completely removing the hazard, while engineering controls involve designing equipment or processes to reduce exposure. Administrative controls involve changing the way people work, such as implementing policies, training, or scheduling to minimize risk. The option identified as NOT part of this hierarchy, environmental controls, refers to practices that can influence the environmental conditions surrounding a workplace. While managing environmental factors can be important for safety and health, it does not specifically fit into the established categories of the hierarchy of controls used for addressing workplace hazards directly.