Understanding Risk Control: What You Need to Know
Risk control is the elimination or inactivation of a hazard in a manner such that the hazard does not pose a risk to workers who have to enter into an area or work on equipment in the course of scheduled work.
It is advisable to manage hazards at their origin, where the issue originates. The effectiveness of control measures increases when they are implemented closer to the source, a practice commonly known as employing engineering controls.
If this proves ineffective, an alternative approach is to control hazards along the pathway to the worker, positioned between the source and the worker, often termed as applying administrative controls.
In cases where the above options are not feasible, the last line of defense involves controlling hazards directly at the worker level, typically achieved through the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), although this is considered the least preferable control method.
How to Select Suitable Controls?
The process of choosing a control typically includes:
a. Assessing and selecting both short-term and long-term control measures.
b. Implementing temporary measures to safeguard workers until permanent controls can be established.
c. Implementing long-term controls when it is reasonably feasible.
For instance, if a noise hazard is identified, short-term controls may involve requiring workers to use hearing protection. In the long term, permanent controls could entail eliminating or isolating the source of the noise.
It’s important to emphasize that the implementation of long-term controls should not be needlessly prolonged. Substantial efforts should be made to promptly attain the intended goals of the controls without exacerbating the safety and health risks to workers.
What are the Types of Risk Controls
The most desired outcome of a control is to eliminate the needs to conduct the hazardous work activity altogether. However, that is very unlikely to be achieved in common practice. As mentioned before, personal protective equipment should be the last resort of all the options available.
Below are the types of risk controls:
| Control Type | Explanation | Example | In-Short |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elimination | Getting rid of a hazardous job, tool, process, machine, or substance is perhaps the best way of protecting workers. | For example, a scrap firm might decide to stop buying and cutting up scrapped bulk fuel tanks due to explosion hazards. | Physically remove the hazard |
| Substitution | Sometimes doing the same work in a less hazardous way is possible. Controls must protect workers from any new hazards that are created. | For example, a hazardous chemical can be replaced with a less hazardous one. | Replace the hazard |
| Engineering Controls | It reduces or prevents hazards from coming into contact with workers. | Engineering controls can include modifying equipment or the workspace, using protective barriers, ventilation, and more. | Isolate the people from the hazard |
| Administrative Controls | Administrative controls establish work practices that reduce the duration, frequency, or intensity of exposure to hazards. | For example, implementation of safe work procedures, supervision and training, job rotation, etc. | Change the way people work |
| Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Clothing | Used when other control measures are not feasible and where additional protection is needed. | For instance, hard hat, earplug, respiratory protection, etc. | Protect the worker with adequate Personal Protective Equipment |
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HIRARC Guidelines by DOSH