Hierarchy of control measures order?

Hierarchy of control measures order?

• A. PPE, administrative, and engineering
• B. Engineering, administrative, and PPE
• C. Administrative, PPE, and engineering
• D. Engineering, PPE, and administrative

Answer: (B)

In safety, controls are arranged from most protective to least, based on how reliably they remove or reduce exposure. Start with engineering controls because they eliminate or isolate the hazard at its source—things like guards, machine enclosures, isolation, and ventilation that reduce or remove the danger without relying on workers’ actions. If the hazard can’t be fully removed, use administrative controls next. These change how work is done—training, written procedures, job rotation, scheduling, and limits on exposure time—to reduce risk through behavior and practices. PPE comes last, as a final safeguard or supplement when hazards remain after engineering and administrative measures, or when exposure cannot be fully eliminated. That’s why the correct order is engineering first, followed by administrative controls, and then PPE.

In safety, controls are arranged from most protective to least, based on how reliably they remove or reduce exposure. Start with engineering controls because they eliminate or isolate the hazard at its source—things like guards, machine enclosures, isolation, and ventilation that reduce or remove the danger without relying on workers’ actions.

If the hazard can’t be fully removed, use administrative controls next. These change how work is done—training, written procedures, job rotation, scheduling, and limits on exposure time—to reduce risk through behavior and practices.

PPE comes last, as a final safeguard or supplement when hazards remain after engineering and administrative measures, or when exposure cannot be fully eliminated.

That’s why the correct order is engineering first, followed by administrative controls, and then PPE.