What is the preferred method of Hazard Elimination Controls?

• A. Administrative controls
• B. Personal protective equipment
• C. Substitution
• D. Engineering

Answer: (D)

Engineering controls are the most robust way to remove or isolate a hazard at the source. By redesigning the process, adding guards, ventilation, or automated systems, the hazard is eliminated or kept away from people without relying on individual behavior or protective gear. This makes exposure substantially less likely than relying on workers to follow procedures or to wear PPE correctly.

Administrative controls depend on people to follow rules and can fail due to noncompliance or human error. Personal protective equipment protects the worker but does not remove the hazard; it serves as a barrier after exposure could occur. Substitution, while also a form of hazard elimination, isn’t always feasible or sufficient by itself because it depends on available alternatives that maintain process performance, cost, or quality.

So, engineering controls best achieve hazard elimination by altering the environment or equipment to remove the hazard from the workflow.