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Hierarchy of Controls
Table of Contents
Remove the hazard first, then substitute, engineer, admin, PPE - in that order.
Key Concept
- Eliminate the hazard before warnings, admin, or PPE.
- Heed Every Near Miss feeds what to eliminate; admin controls and PPE are backups when the hazard cannot go away.
- Guard rails beat signs when you can remove the hazard instead.
- Named rollback is a control layer before irreversible harm.
Level 1 - Recognize
Hierarchy of controls ranks hazard fixes - eliminate or engineer out danger before warnings, admin, or PPE.
Level 2 - Explain
Like removing the pothole instead of posting a slow-down sign. A guard rail beats a sign. Both beat helmets if you can fix the source.
Level 3 - Use
Ask whether you can eliminate or engineer out the hazard before you buy more signs and gloves.
Level 4 - Connect
PPE is last because it depends on human compliance - elimination removes risk at the root before anyone has to remember gear.
Level 5 - Create
Build a control plan from each near miss: remove the hazard where possible, then add engineering, admin, and PPE layers for what remains.
Examples
- We removed the wet patch on the court instead of adding “slow down” signs - glad guard rails beat warnings and removing the hazard beat both.
- We taped down the rug corner instead of yelling “watch your step” every night - hierarchy of controls: eliminate first, then engineer, admin, PPE last.
Note Relationships
| Relationship | Wikilink | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| contradicts | Standard Operating Procedures | when the opposite frame fits better |
| extends | Eliminate Before Managing | Elimination tops the hierarchy - warnings come last |
| extends | Rollback Principle | Named rollback is a control layer before irreversible harm |
