Controls Beat PPE
Select stronger controls by moving up the hierarchy before relying on PPE.
Controls Beat PPE The hierarchy of controls works because not all protections depend on the same amount of human perfection. Elimination and substitution remove the hazard or replace it. Engineering controls isolate people from the hazard. Administrative controls change how work is scheduled or performed. PPE protects the person after the hazard still exists. OSHA recommends selecting controls that are feasible, effective, and permanent, emphasizing engineering solutions before administrative controls and PPE. The mechanism is reliability under real conditions. PPE can be necessary and lifesaving, but it sits closest to the worker and fails when fit, comfort, availability, training, or…
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