Hazards, Risk & the Hierarchy of Controls
Hazards, Risk & the Hierarchy of Controls
Know the difference between what can cause harm and the chance of harm occurring.
A hazard is something with potential to cause harm. Risk considers the likelihood and severity of that harm. Effective control starts by removing or reducing the hazard before relying on instructions or PPE.
Eliminate+
Remove the hazard where possible: close an unsafe route, remove a damaged barrier from use or stop a task until the defect is fixed.
Substitute or engineer+
Use a safer method, physical guard, barrier, lighting, anti-slip measure or other engineered control where appropriate.
Administrative controls+
Briefings, staffing levels, signage, exclusion zones, rotation and procedures can reduce exposure but require active management.
PPE+
Hi-vis, gloves, hearing protection or weather PPE may be necessary but do not make an unsafe environment automatically safe.
The strongest control is normally one that removes or physically reduces the hazard rather than depending only on perfect behaviour.
Knowledge check
Which is generally stronger than simply telling people to be careful?
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