Hierarchy of Risk Control: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative control and PPE

Hierarchy of Risk Control
In this informative live video, I delve into the critical concept of the Hierarchy of Risk Control, a vital framework for minimizing risks and ensuring safety in various environments. Learn how to prioritize and implement control measures effectively to protect against hazards. Join the discussion and empower yourself with the knowledge needed to create a safer world.
Risk Management, Hazard Prevention, Risk control strategies, Risk mitigation, Safety Best Practices, Hazard Prevention
Elimination:
1. Avoiding excavation work in areas with known underground utilities to minimize the chance of hitting a gas or water pipe.
2. Using prefabricated and modular building components instead of building from scratch on the job site.
3. Designing structures with non-combustible materials to prevent fire hazards.
4. Choosing site locations with minimal environmental risks, such as avoiding areas with known flood zones.
5. Selecting construction methods that minimize the amount of waste generated, eliminating exposure to hazardous waste.
Substitution:
1. Replacing diesel generators with electric ones to reduce carbon monoxide and particulate emissions.
2. Using non-toxic and low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints to reduce fumes.
3. Using water-based hydraulic fluids instead of oil-based ones to improve biodegradability.
4. Using insulated concrete forms instead of traditional wood framing to reduce air leakage and to increase energy efficiency.
5. Using battery-powered construction equipment instead of traditional gas-powered equipment to reduce emissions.
Engineering Controls:
1. Providing fall protection systems, such as guardrails or safety nets, to protect workers from falls from height.
2. Setting up barriers or fencing to restrict access to construction sites and protect the public from potential hazards.
3. Installing ventilation fans to improve air quality and remove fumes and dust.
4. Installing noise barriers around construction equipment to reduce noise pollution.
5. Installing fire alarms and sprinkler systems to detect and suppress fires.
Administrative Controls:
1. Developing and implementing a proper traffic management plan to manage the flow of vehicles and pedestrians in the construction area.
2. Establishing standard operating procedures for equipment operation and maintenance to ensure safe operation.
3. Conducting regular safety audits to identify potential risks and hazards.
4. Providing clear and concise job instructions to workers to minimize the potential for accidents.
5. Establishing safety checklists and requiring pre-work inspections to ensure that all tools and equipment are working properly.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
1. Providing hard hats to protect workers from head injury.
2. Providing hearing protection, like ear plugs or earmuffs, to workers exposed to loud machinery noise.
3. Providing safety boots with steel-toe protection to protect workers' feet from heavy objects.
4. Providing safety glasses or goggles to workers to protect their eyes from dust or flying debris.
5. Providing respirators to help workers breathe clean air in areas with high levels of dust and particulate matter.
The site manager can apply the hierarchy of risk control as follows:
1. Elimination: The site manager can work to eliminate the hazard by ensuring that materials and tools are kept in a secure location to ensure they do not fall onto workers.
2. Substitution: They can substitute potentially hazardous tools and materials with safer alternatives, such as using a gantry crane instead of workers needing to manually lift heavy objects.
3. Engineering: They can implement protective measures to reduce the impact of the hazard, such as placing covers or barriers to protect workers in areas where there is a risk of falling objects.
4. Administrative: They can establish a safety program that includes work procedures and safe working practices including mandatory induction and periodic safety training for workers engaged in high-risk activities.
5. PPE: The site manager can provide workers with hard hats or other safety gear that can reduce their risk of injury if falling objects cannot be completely prevented.