How does the hierarchy of controls guide hazard mitigation?

• A. Elimination Or Substitution, Then Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, And PPE
• B. PPE First, Then Administrative Controls
• C. Administrative Controls First
• D. Elimination Last

Answer: (A)

The hierarchy of controls guides hazard mitigation by prioritizing measures that remove or reduce exposure at the source. The most effective step is elimination or substitution, because it removes the hazard entirely or replaces it with something less dangerous. If elimination or substitution isn’t possible, engineering controls are used to isolate people from the hazard—think guards, ventilation, or redesigns that reduce exposure without relying on worker behavior. When those aren’t feasible, administrative controls adjust how people work to lower exposure, such as training, procedures, and scheduling to reduce time spent in danger. PPE serves as the last line of defense and only protects the worker when other controls can’t fully remove the risk, since it doesn’t remove the hazard itself and depends on proper use.

The option listed follows this sequence exactly, making it the best choice. For example, replacing a hazardous chemical with a safer one, installing ventilation to remove fumes, changing work procedures to limit exposure time, and requiring respirators only as a final safeguard.