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Controlling Health Hazards
10 Ways to Get the Job Done

The best way to control chemicals or other health hazards in the workplace is to completely eliminate any chance that a worker will come in contact with them.

Examples include switching to a safer chemical or only using a chemical in a "closed system" so it never enters the workplace air. Personal protective equipment such as masks should be used only as a last resort.

Substitution. Can a different, safer chemical be used?

Closed systems. Could automated processes or closed containers be used so workers wouldn't be exposed to a hazard?

Enclosures. Can machines or pro­cesses be enclosed or isolated to keep noise or dust from nearby workers?

Ventilation. Can fumes, dusts, or vapors be sucked away before they spread to the air?

Work practices. Can the job be done in a different and safer way, such as vacuuming instead of blowing dust?

Housekeeping. Will better housekeeping and maintenance help control the problem?

Personal protective gear. This should be considered only after other control methods have been tried or while they are being installed.

Administrative controls. Man­agement may try to adjust work sche­dules or assignments to reduce the hazard for each worker.  Workers may be rotated out of a hazardous area for part of the day.  Heavy work may be scheduled early in the morning during hot weather.

If workers are rotated so they won't be exposed for so long to a hazard, ask for information about the health damage that hazard may cause.

Be sure that rotation of workers doesn't merely mean putting more workers in danger instead of taking necessary steps to really control the hazard.

Training. Training programs can teach workers what hazards can do to the body and what special precautions are needed when working with them.

Some OSHA regulations require employers to train workers about haz­ards of a particular substance or about the proper use and storage of equipment (such as respirators).

Labeling. Signs and labels help to inform workers of hazards.

Courtesy of TheWorkSite.org.