Identifying and Controlling Hazards
Course 101
Safety Certified Supervisor Series

MODULE FIVE: CONTROLLING HAZARDS

Engineering Controls

Why engineering controls?

Although hazardous conditions directly account for only 3% of all workplace injuries, top priority should be given to eliminating them. The underlying intent of OSHA law requires employers to first attempt to remove hazards through the use of feasible engineering controls because they have the potential to totally eliminate hazards in the workplace. If an engineering control eliminates the hazard, it may also remove the need to control employee behaviors through the use of management controls. Remember:

No hazard...no exposure...no accident.

Engineering controls do not necessarily have to be expense or complicated. They can be quite simple in some cases. Engineering controls are based on the following broad strategies:

1. If feasible, design or redesign the tools, equipment, machinery, materials and/or facility.
2. If design/redesign is not possible, remove the hazard and/or substitute something that is not hazardous or is less hazardous;
3. If removal is not feasible, enclose the hazard to prevent exposure in normal operations; and
   
4. If complete enclosure is not feasible, establish barriers or local ventilation to reduce exposure to the hazard in normal operations.

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