Lesson 7: Hazard Elimination and Controls

Glossary

Hazard Elimination and Control

  • "Hazard Elimination" means to remove the hazard so that it is no longer a hazard.
  • "Hazard Control" means having a plan to reduce the risk of a hazard causing injury, harm or loss. 
  • Knowing a hazard's risk factor can lead to the control of the hazard.

There are 3 main types of hazard controls:

  1. Engineering controls.
  2. Administrative controls.
  3. Basic controls (Personal Protective Equipment/PPE).
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   Engineering Controls


 
Engineering controls include changing the working conditions.
Examples:
  • Improve ventilation (more air flow) to remove bad air.
  • Set up signs and/or barriers to keep workers from going into harmful areas.
  • Adjust work areas to fit workers.

                             Administrative Controls 


 

Administrative controls direct the tasks of workers, but do not remove a hazard. They may reduce the worker's contact with the hazard.
Examples:

  • Training workers to work safely.
  • Training workers to properly use equipment, tools and materials.

 Basic Controls (Personal Protective Equipment)


 

Basic controls (Personal Protective Equipment - PPE) do not reduce or get rid of hazards. They reduce the risk of injury from certain hazards.
Examples of PPE are:

  • Hard hats
  • Eye goggles
  • Hearing protection
  • Air-filter mask
  • Steel-toed boots
  • Specialty coveralls


NOTE:  PPE is a control of last resort. Engineering and administrative controls are essential to making a workplace safer.


A good control meets four standards:

  1. It prevents the hazard from causing harm, injury or loss.
  2. It protects those who could be harmed by the hazard
  3. It must not create new hazards or problems
  4. It must not create a hazard to the environment or public outside the workplace.

Think About It

Controlling Hazards

Exercise: Review the six scenarios found by clicking the link below.  Warning, some of the scenes are graphic.  Can you come up with some ideas of how this accident could have been prevented?  Make a list of some ways the accident could have been avoided. Click here to view the six scenarios, courtesy of the Government of Alberta.


Compare your list with the suggested answers by clicking on "Prevent This" below each scenario.


  Digging Deeper


Hazards    

Click here to view  a video on Recognizing, Evaluating and Controlling hazards.