HIERARCHY of CONTROL Health and Safety | 5 Steps EXPLAINED!

Summary

The video explains the hierarchy of control measures, a process used to manage workplace hazards. It starts with elimination, the most effective measure, and moves down to personal protective equipment (PPE), the least effective. The hierarchy includes elimination, substitution (reducing the hazard), engineering controls (isolating people from hazards), administrative controls (influencing behavior through procedures), and PPE. The video emphasizes that control measures should be proportional to the risk, considering the likelihood and severity of harm, and encourages balancing time, cost, and effort when implementing safety measures.

Takeaways

• 🔝 The hierarchy of control measures ranks control options from most effective (elimination) to least effective (PPE).
• 🚫 Elimination is the most effective control, which involves completely removing the hazard from the environment.
• 🔄 Substitution comes next, where a hazard is reduced by replacing materials or processes to lower the risk.
• 🛠️ Engineering controls focus on isolating people from hazards through physical changes or barriers, such as guards or ventilation systems.
• 📝 Administrative controls involve rules, procedures, training, and warnings to guide people on how to avoid risks.
• 🧤 PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is the last resort in the hierarchy, offering minimal protection and being the least desirable control measure.
• ⚖️ Control measures should be proportional to the severity and likelihood of the hazard's risk.
• 💡 Substitution and engineering controls should be evaluated carefully to avoid introducing new hazards.
• 🛑 Risk assessment is a form of administrative control, helping to communicate and identify hazards in the workplace.
• 💰 Balancing time, cost, and effort against the risk reduction benefits is crucial in deciding which control measures to implement.

Q & A

What is the hierarchy of control measures?

The hierarchy of control measures is a process model that helps in decision-making from the most effective control measures to the least effective ones. It includes elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Why is elimination considered the most effective control measure?

Elimination is considered the most effective control measure because it removes the hazard entirely, thereby eliminating the associated risks altogether.

Can you give an example of elimination in a workplace scenario?

In a warehouse environment, elimination could involve removing the forklift to prevent potential collisions with pedestrians, or restricting pedestrian access to areas where forklifts operate.

What is substitution, and how is it different from elimination?

Substitution involves reducing the hazard by changing materials, processes, or products, rather than removing the hazard completely, as elimination does. For example, using a safety platform instead of a step ladder reduces the risk of falling.

What are some risks associated with substitution?

When using substitution, one must ensure that the new material or process doesn't introduce new hazards, which could pose additional risks.

What are engineering controls, and how do they work?

Engineering controls isolate people from hazards by introducing safety devices. Examples include interlocked devices that prevent electrical shock or physical guards on cutting tools to prevent contact.

What are some examples of administrative controls?

Administrative controls include creating specific procedures, training employees, providing safety signage, and conducting risk assessments to influence how employees interact with hazards.

Why is personal protective equipment (PPE) considered the least effective control measure?

PPE is considered the least effective control measure because it only protects the individual rather than addressing or removing the hazard itself. It serves as the last line of defense when other measures are not sufficient.

How should one decide which control measures to implement?

Control measures should be proportionate to the risk involved, balancing time, cost, and effort against the level of risk reduction achieved. High-risk activities require more investment in control measures.

What is an example of a situation where investing in control measures would not be worthwhile?

If a hazard has a low likelihood of occurrence and low severity, it might not be worthwhile to invest a lot of resources in additional control measures, as the risk is already minimal.