What Is the Hierarchy of Controls?

What Is the Hierarchy of Controls?

The hierarchy of controls is a method of identifying and ranking safeguards to

protect workers from hazards. They are arranged from the most to least effective and include elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment.

Often, you’ll need to combine control methods to best protect workers. For

example, a local exhaust system (an engineering control) requires training,

periodic inspections, and preventive maintenance (administrative controls). You

will also need to consider feasibility.

 

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PPE - Personal Protective Equipment & Its Importance...

Elimination makes sure the hazard no longer exists. Examples:

 • Ending the use of a hazardous material

• Doing work at ground level rather than at heights

• Stopping the use of noisy processes

 

Substitution means changing out a material or process to reduce the hazard. Examples:

 • Switching to a less hazardous material

• Switching to a process that uses less force, speed, temperature, or electrical current

 

Basics of Behavior Based Safety

Engineering Controls reduce exposure by preventing hazards from coming into

contact with workers. They still allow workers to do their jobs, though. Examples:

 • Noise enclosures

• Local exhaust ventilation

• Guardrail system

• Machine guards

• Interlocks

• Lift equipment

 

Administrative Controls change the way work is done or give workers more

information by providing workers with relevant procedures, training, or warnings.

They’re often used together with higher-level controls. They include:

 • Procedures, such as equipment inspections, planned preventive

maintenance, checklists, lockout/tagout/tryout, infection prevention and

control practices, changing work schedules, pre- and post-task reviews,

and rotation of workers

• Training on topics such as hazard communication, permit-required

confined space entry, lockout/tagout/tryout, and safe work procedures

• Warnings, such as signs, backup alarms, smoke detectors, computer

messages, mirrors, horns, labels, and instructions

 

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes clothing and devices to protect workers. PPE needs constant effort and attention (including proper use and training) from workers. Higher-level controls aren’t always feasible, and PPE might be needed in conjunction with other control measures. Examples:

 • Safety glasses

• Personal Fall Protection Systems and related equipment 

• Hardhats

• Respirators

• Hearing protection

• Protective clothing

 

 Lifting Gear Equipment Safety

 Chemical Safety...

 

 

Workplace Transport Safety

Safe Site – Activity

Reversing

Around a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work occur as a result of reversing.

It also results in considerable damage to vehicles, equipment, and property.

The most effective way of reducing reversing incidents is to remove the need to

reverse by, for example, using one-way systems. Where this is not possible, sites should be organized so that reversing is kept to a minimum. Where reversing is necessary, consider the following:

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■ Install barriers to prevent vehicles entering pedestrian zones.

■ Plan and clearly mark designated reversing areas.

■ Keep people away from reversing areas and operations.

■ Use portable radios or similar communication systems.

■ Increase drivers’ ability to see pedestrians.

■ Install equipment on vehicles to help the driver and pedestrians, eg reversing

alarms, flashing beacons and proximity-sensing devices.

 Basics of Behavior Based Safety

Signaling

The job of banksmen (or signalers) is to guide drivers and make sure reversing

areas are free of pedestrians. However, in some industries, such as quarrying,

banksmen are rarely used due to the size of the vehicles involved.

If you are using banksmen, make sure:

■ only trained banksmen are used.

■ they are always clearly visible to drivers.

■ a clear and recognized system is adopted.

■ they stand in a safe position throughout the reversing operation.

Parking

Parking areas should be clearly indicated and there should be separate parking

areas for commercial and private vehicles. There should also be designated areas.

Where commercial vehicles can be loaded and unloaded.

When vehicles are parked, their parking brakes should always be applied. On most trailers disconnecting the emergency airline does not apply the trailer parking brake.

Drivers should never leave a vehicle unattended without ensuring both the vehicle and the trailer are securely braked, the engine is off and the key to the vehicle has been removed.

Where appropriate, trailer legs should be lowered to the ground.

 Electrical Lockout and Tagout Procedure

Loading and unloading

To minimize the risks to those involved in loading and unloading, information should be provided on the nature of the load and how it should be properly loaded, secured, and unloaded. This information should accompany the load and be available to those involved in the loading, transportation and unloading activities.

The loading and unloading area should be:

■ clear of traffic and people not involved in the activity.

■ on level ground.

■ segregated from other work areas.

■ clear of overhead cables, pipes, or other obstructions.

■ protected from bad weather where possible.

Make sure vehicles and trailers have their brakes applied and all stabilizers are in the correct position before loading or unloading.

Throughout loading and unloading there should be a safe place where drivers can wait.

Make sure you take measures to prevent vehicles being driven off during either

loading or unloading at loading bays. These can include:

■ traffic lights on loading bays.

■ vehicle or trailer restraints.

■ keeping keys in a safe place, e.g., with a ‘custody’ system.

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