Hierarchy of hazard controls

Hazard control methods at the top of the graphic are potentially more effective and protective than those at the bottom. Following this hierarchy of controls normally leads to the implementation of inherently safer systems, where the risk of illness or injury has been substantially reduced.[1]


Hierarchy of hazard control is a system used in industry to prioritize possible interventions to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards.[a] It is a widely accepted system promoted by numerous safety organizations. This concept is taught to managers in industry, to be promoted as standard practice in the workplace. It has also been used to inform public policy, in fields such as road safety.[13] Various illustrations are used to depict this system, most commonly a triangle.

The hazard controls in the hierarchy are, in order of decreasing priority:

The system is not based on evidence about effectiveness but based on If elimination of the hazard is possible, it frees workers of being aware of the hazard and protecting themselves. Substitution has less priority than elimination because the substitute can possibly also come with a hazard. Engineering controls depend on a well-functioning system and human behaviour. Administrative controls and personal protective equipment are always dependent on human behaviour which makes these controls less reliable.

  1. ^ "Hierarchy of Controls". U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 2017-01-31.
  2. ^ "Hierarchy of Controls" (PDF). Health and Safety Authority (Ireland).
  3. ^ "Hierarchy of Hazard Controls". New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  4. ^ "How the hierarchy of control can help you fulfil your health and safety duties". Occupational Health & Safety Handbook. 2012-01-20. Archived from the original on 2013-01-14. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  5. ^ "Hazard Control". Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. 2006-04-20. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  6. ^ "Engineering Controls". U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  7. ^ "Tree Work – Working at height". UK Health and Safety Executive. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  8. ^ "Hierarchy of control diagram". Safework SA. Archived from the original on 2014-03-27. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  9. ^ "Hierarchy of Controls". SA Unions. Archived from the original on 2005-06-23. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  10. ^ MANUAL HANDLING HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS Archived 2012-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ "Manual Handling: Hierarchy of Controls" (PDF). WorkCover New South Wales. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-22.
  12. ^ "Hazard identification, risk assessment & risk control in the workplace". WorkSafe Victoria. Archived from the original on 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  13. ^ McLeod, Sam; Curtis, Carey (2020-12-21). "Integrating urban road safety and sustainable transportation policy through the hierarchy of hazard controls". International Journal of Sustainable Transportation. 16 (2): 166–180. doi:10.1080/15568318.2020.1858376. ISSN 1556-8318. S2CID 234431488.


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