Hazard Control Hierarchy: Prioritizing Workplace Safety Measures

The hierarchy of hazard controls ranks measures from most to least effective:

1. Elimination – remove hazard entirely.
2. Substitution – replace with less hazardous alternative.
3. Engineering controls – isolate people from hazard (e.g., guards, ventilation).
4. Administrative controls – change work practices (training, procedures, scheduling).
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – last resort (gloves, masks, etc.).

Elimination/substitution are most effective; PPE least effective. Apply higher-level controls first.