Managing Hazards

1. Elimination and Substitution
- Elimination and substitution, while most effective at reducing hazards, also tend to be the most difficult to implement in an existing process.
- If the process is still at the design or development stage, elimination and substitution of hazards may be inexpensive and simple to implement.

Engineering controls are designed to remove the hazard at the source, before it comes in contact with the worker.
Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and will typically be independent of worker interactions to provide this high level of protection.
Some engineering controls may include:
- Change process to minimize contact with hazardous chemicals.
- Isolate or enclose the process.
- Use of wet methods to reduce generation of dusts or other particulates.
- General dilution ventilation.
- Use fume hoods

Administrative controls and PPE are frequently used with existing processes where hazards are not particularly well controlled.
Administrative controls and PPE programs may be relatively inexpensive to establish but, over the long term, can be very costly to sustain.
These methods for protecting workers have also proven to be less effective than other measures, requiring significant effort by the affected workers.
Administrative controls
- Rotate job assignments.
- Adjust work schedules so that workers are not overexposed to a hazardous chemicals.
Personal protective equipment
- Use chemical protective clothing.
- Wear respiratory protection. Use gloves.
- Wear eye protection.