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Common Hazard Controls

Elimination

Elimination of the hazard means that the hazard no longer exists in the workplace and therefore potential exposure to the hazard is also completely eliminated. Always consider elimination of the hazard first.

  • On-demand supply instead of on-site storage
  • Maintenance-free batteries
  • Purchase premixed products

Substitution

Substitution of a hazard is when an alternative tool, material, or process is used instead of the more hazardous one and the exposure risk is eliminated. The substitute may pose some risk to other hazards, and should be evaluated to determine if controls are necessary.

  • Dipping/brushing instead of spraying
  • Bolting together instead of welding
  • Hacksaw use instead of grinding
  • Wet processes instead of dry processes
  • Using non-hazardous chemicals
  • Using less hazardous radioactive substances (ex. P-33 instead of P-32)
  • Soap and water instead of solvents
  • Automation instead of manual equipment

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls remove exposure to the hazard in a workplace, or use a barrier to virtually eliminate worker exposure to a hazard. The hazard is controlled on a relatively permanent basis. Engineering controls are the most desirable and effective type of hazard control, but may not always be feasible due to time and money constraints. 

Isolation

  • Control rooms or restricted access areas
  • Guarding
    • Machinery guards
    • Fall protection/guardrail systems/parapet walls on roofs
  • Barriers/shielding (ex. welding shields, plastic for P-32 radiation sources)
  • Locking out hazardous energy sources

Design

  • Proper access (ex. stairways, ramps)
  • Height (ex. hazard located above employee access, typically 8 feet)
  • Impervious work surfaces
  • Seamless flooring
  • Safety interlocks on equipment
  • Automatic shutoff

Work Area Layout

  • Separating non-compatible work tasks
  • Routing high-traffic paths away from hazardous areas
  • Minimize size of radioactive work areas
  • Segregating radioactive work

Ventilation

  • Increase air flow
  • Use fume hoods for mixing
  • Local exhaust ventilation
  • Filtration (ex. HEPA-filtered Biosafety cabinets, charcoal filtering for radioactive substances such as I-125)

Administrative Controls

Administrative controls alter the way a procedure or task is performed and rely on employee actions/behaviors to control the hazard. The hazard and/or employee exposure is reduced to a safer level but still may require the use of PPE.

Housekeeping

  • Regular cleaning of work area
  • Dry, clean floors
  • Proper storage of tools, materials, chemicals, radioactive substances
  • Proper spill response
  • Surplus old machinery/equipment
  • Vacuum instead of sweeping

Training

  • Hazard recognition (general and hazard-specific)
  • Hazard controls (general and hazard-specific)
  • Safe work practices
  • Safe operating procedures
  • Emergency procedures
  • Manufacturer's instructions (owner/operator manuals)

Exposure Reduction

  • Perform hazardous tasks less frequently
  • Rotate employees in hazardous areas (not permitted for respiratory hazards)
  • Minimize on-hand stock of hazardous materials
  • Minimize waste products by recycling or redistribution
    • Ex. donate chemicals to university surplus
  • Decrease time/increase distance (radiation or noise exposures)

Preventative Maintenance

  • Regular inspections on machinery, equipment, systems
  • Routine/periodic servicing and maintenance

Exposure Monitoring

  • Quarterly review of personal radiation doses
  • Investigation at 10% and 25% of occupational exposure limits (radiation)
  • Identify radiation contaminated areas

Safe Work Practices and Procedures

  • Identify and develop for hazardous processes
  • Perform radiological hazard analysis
  • Label equipment as radioactive
  • Container labeling (chemical, radioactive, biohazardous)

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When hazards cannot be eliminated or engineering and administrative controls do not reduce the exposure to an acceptable level, personal protective equipment (PPE) must be considered. PPE must be selected and assigned to personnel in accordance with the PPE Program requirments.