The Hazard Control Hierarchy Table - Thou Shall Not Disobey the Table

We cannot deny the fact that occupational hazard control, hazard recognition and hazard assessment is an ongoing process. In other words, employers need to constantly strive to improve these procedures and safety plans. Thus, we can also say that steps such as hazard recognition will prove to be useless unless and until follow-up actions are taken and certain engineering controls and tools are provided.

Generally speaking, hazard control methods can successfully eliminate hazards from various sources. However, you also need to understand that not all methods of hazard control are capable of eliminating, controlling or reducing occupational hazards. The simple truth is that some hazard control methods are just more powerful and efficient than the rest.

Hence, you must follow a hazard control hierarchy table. This table will help workers and employees use the most effective methods of hazard control, before moving on to the weaker sets:

1.Hazard elimination
2.Hazard reduction
3.Provide engineering controls
4.Using administrative controls
5.Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Having read the hazard control hierarchy table, you also need to realize that you can never jump to a lower hazard control level. You have to attempt the first method before you move on to the next.