HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems

Training Room 2: Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control

Controlling Hazards

According to the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Explanation Guide (2009) (pdf)

Whenever possible, hazards should be eliminated or controlled at their source – as close to where the problem is created as possible – using engineering solutions. If this is not possible, controls should be placed between the source and the workers. The closer a control is to the source of the hazard the better. If this is not possible, hazards must be controlled at the level of the worker.

There are different ways to control hazards:

• Engineering controls are methods designed to isolate or remove hazards from the workplace. These include sharps disposal containers, laser scalpels, and laboratory fume hoods.
• Work-practice controls are practical techniques used to reduce exposure by the way the work is managed. These include handwashing, handling of used needles and other sharps and contaminated reusable sharps, and collecting and transporting fluids and tissues according to approved safe practices.
• Control hazards with personal protective equipment such as gloves, lab coats, gowns, shoe covers, goggles, glasses with side shields, masks, and resuscitation bags.