Checklist for Investigation of Occupational Health & Safety Conditions in Workplaces

This is known as control at the source and utilizes substitution or enclosure of the hazard, as well as other means. If this cannot be achieved, exposure should be reduced along the path, through ventilation, protective barriers, or related measures. Only as a last resort, should exposure be controlled at the person, using personal protective equipment, administrative controls, or other primary prevention measures such as training or even biological measures such as immunization. Once you recognize a hazard, then you can determine which measure will correct the problem most effectively. Generally, there are five major categories of control measures: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and personal protective equipment. Remember it is always better to control the hazards as close to the source as possible. Using personal protection is the least acceptable and least effective of all control measures.