Hierarchy of Risk Control to reduce the OH&S Risk: ( As per clause 8.1.2 of ISO 45001) Elimination, Substitution, Engineering, Administrative, PPEs

Hierarchy of Risk Control-

Elimination.

Elimination is the process of removing the hazard from the workplace.
It is the most effective way to control a risk because the hazard is no longer present.
It is the preferred way to control a hazard and should be used whenever possible.

Examples:

Welding is eliminated by using Riveting method for joining the metal plates.
DG is replaced by UPS to eliminate the Noise Hazard.
Painting is eliminated on walls by using Wall papers.
In place of overhead power cables, underground cabling is done so work at height hazard is eliminated.
In place of metal chair fabrication, plastic/ wooden chair is used to avoid the welding hazard.
To avoid the welding hazard at workplace, work is outsourced to external contractor.
To avoid the welding hazard, machine parts are not repaired , they are directly replaced with new spare parts.

Substitution.

Substitution occurs when a new chemical or substance that is less hazardous is used instead of another chemical.
It is sometimes grouped with elimination because, in effect, you are removing the first substance or hazard from the workplace.
The goal, obviously, is to choose a new chemical that is less hazardous than the original.
Example : Leaded Petrol to Unleaded Petrol , Toxic Paint to Organic or Water Based Paint, Acid Cleaning of Bathroom tiles replaced by HARPIC(less hazardous) etc.

Remember, however, that you need to make sure the substitute chemical or substance is not causing any harmful effects, and to control and monitor exposures to make sure that the replacement chemical or substance is below occupational exposure limits.

Another type of substitution includes using the same chemical but to use it in a different form.

For example, a dry, dusty powder may be a significant inhalation hazard but if this material can be purchased and used as pellets or crystals, there may be less dust in the air and therefore less exposure.

Engineering controls:

Engineering controls are methods that are built into the design of a plant, equipment or process to minimize the hazard. Engineering controls are a very reliable way to control worker exposures as long as the controls are designed, used and maintained properly.

The basic types of engineering controls are:

Separation, segregation, Barrication etc.
Safety devices
Guarding of machinery
Process control by using PRV( Pressure Relief Valve)
Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source.
Ventilation (LEV-Local Exhaust Ventilation).

Administrative controls:

Risk assessment – identified in the risk assessment & implementation of risk control measures
Safe systems of work. - developing and implementation safe work procedures ,
standard operating procedures.
Methods Statement
PTW
Reduced time of exposure,
Dose (exposure limit)- restrict (e.g. Work from home)
Procedures - ensuring clear procedures , written if necessary, and are in place
Guidelines
Information, -providing appropriate safety and health information
Instruction- ensuring that supervisors are adequately instructed
Training - ensuring that managers are trained
Supervision
Safety Signages ,
Safety posters,
Notice Boards
Job rotation (attach to different job)
Rota system (Worker Shifts Design)
Planning or redesigning the layout of your workplace/enterprise
Better housekeeping/tidiness - Establishing and maintaining good housekeeping programs. (e.g. extensive cleaning contract)
Improving participation of and input from your workers/ workers representative in workplace (Consultation Arrangement)
Health surveillance/ Health check-up/Medical testing (e.g. Audiometry , vertigo test, spirometry test)
Provision of Safety Inspection
Safety Audit ( Internal & External)
Active monitoring,
Reactive Monitoring,
Investigation
Policy up-dataion / amendment/review
Restricting access to a work area.
Restricting the task to only those competent or qualified to perform the work.
Scheduling maintenance and other high exposure operations for times when few workers are present (such as evenings, weekends).
Using job-rotation schedules that limit the amount of time an individual worker is exposed to a substance.
Using a work-rest schedule that limits the length of time a worker is exposure to a hazard. ( Hours of service)
Keeping equipment well maintained/ upkeeping.
Emergency arrangement - Preparing and training for emergency response for incidents such as spills, fire or employee injury.
Regular meetings at all level
Certification (e.g. ISO , LOTO ,PTW, Government Certification)