Hierarchy of Control Copy

What are control methods for eliminating hazards?

There is a hierarchy of hazard controls. The Hierarchy of Hazard control methods are illustrated on the next page.

In order to use the chart for hazard control, you must start at control measure number 1- Elimination.

That is eliminate the hazard at the source. If this is not possible or is impractical, you would then move on to control measure number 2- Substitution.

That is substitute the process or product for one that does not produce hazards.

If this is not possible or is impractical you would move to control measure number 3- Enclosure. That would be to enclose the process to reduce the hazards.

The process follows down the list in sequence until a suitable method of hazard control is achieved.

However, Elimination of the hazard altogether is the SAFEST and best method of control and is the method that should be aimed for.

Personal protective equipment should only be viewed as a VERY SHORT TERM solution.

Note: Different Organisations / Health and Safety consultants will use different words or terminology to indicate the same essential information. Also, not all hierarchy charts will have 9 levels, some may only show four, five or six levels.

It will depend on the type of business and the types of risk typically found or experienced in that business or organisation.

 

Organising and maintaining workplace safety procedures

One of your key responsibilities as a supervisor is to organise and maintain health and safety procedures in the workplace.

Safe work and emergency procedures must be in writing so that new and existing staff can have ready reference to them.

Procedures are rules, which are written documents, to guide the health and safety behaviour of all workers.

Following is a list of procedures (rules) that your workplace may have:

• Housekeeping
• Use of machinery
• Use of personal protective equipment
• Maintenance procedures
• Accident reporting
• First aid attention
• Fire protection
• Use of tools and equipment
• Smoking and drinking
• Authorised entry and usage (certificates, licences).

 

Monitoring work procedures

As a supervisor, you are responsible for maintaining your workplace safety procedures. You need to monitor work procedures to ensure work health and safety standards are maintained.

You will need information from:

• Preventative maintenance checks
• Completed checklists
• Minutes from the Health and Safety Committee
• Statistics from incident/injuries, and compensation claims from your work area
• Regulations and standards relevant to your workplace, eg storage of hazardous substances, code for manual handling.

 

Promoting workplace health and safety practices

A supervisor’s WH&S responsibilities lie in the day-to-day management of all health and safety issues. Therefore, you are responsible for:

• Making sure all your workers’ health and safety is being maintained
• Training for new workers in your area
• Training for all workers when new equipment or work practices are introduced.

 

This means that for promotion of work health and safety, you are involved in:

• Monitoring work health and safety policies and procedures
• Providing information for the work area
• Consulting with workers, management, work health and safety representatives and committees, and if appropriate, unions.