Why Should a Workplace Implement Hazard Controls?

One of the most important things that you can do for your workplace is to make it safer. Focusing on safety not only helps to minimize the risk for your employees, but it also helps to eliminate waste and improve the efficiency of your company. When you identify a potential hazard in your facility, you will need to come up with the best response to it to keep everyone safe. Following the hierarchy of controls is a great way to improve safety as effectively as possible. 

Implementing the concept of hazard controls is important because it doesn’t simply look for the easiest way to address a hazard. It also looks for the most effective and smartest option. For example, if you have an area where objects could be dropped from above and hit someone on the head, the easiest response would be to have people wear hard hats. This, however, would not be nearly as effective as it should be. Instead, you could eliminate the hazard by making sure the work that is done overhead uses tools that are tethered to the structure. You could also use an engineering control such as installing a net or other safety object to stop dropped items from falling. 

Almost every type of hazard that exists in a facility is going to have multiple different potential solutions. Finding the best option means starting at the top of the hierarchy of controls and working your way down. Implementing hazard controls will help to make your facility as safe as possible.