What type of control is prioritized for removing hazards?

The prioritized control for removing hazards is elimination. This approach focuses on completely removing the hazard from the environment, thereby negating any risk associated with it. By eliminating a hazard, the potential for injury or harm is fully addressed, leading to a safer working or living environment.

In various safety management frameworks, elimination is considered the most effective way to manage risk because it does not merely reduce the likelihood of an incident or lessens its impact; it completely removes the threat. For instance, if a toxic chemical is removed from a site, there is no longer a risk of accidental exposure, which exemplifies the ideal of eliminating a hazard.

Other controls, such as substitution, isolation, and engineering control, can also be effective but are viewed as secondary methods since they do not completely eradicate the hazard. Substitution involves replacing a dangerous substance with a safer alternative; isolation focuses on separating people from the hazard; and engineering controls are designed to reduce the risk through modifications or barriers. While these methods can effectively minimize risk, they still leave a potential threat in place, highlighting why elimination takes precedence in hazard control strategies.