Eliminating or Controlling the Hazards

There are ways to eliminate the hazards by choosing a different process, modifying an existing process, substituting with a less hazardous substance, or improving the environment. In developing solutions, the following steps can be taken  

Change the physical conditions that create the hazard. 

Reduce the frequency of performing that specific job. Reduce exposure. Contain the hazard with enclosure, barrier, or guards. 

Use protective devices such as personal protective equipment. 

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A JHA documents procedures that can be used to review job methods and uncover hazards that may exist in the workplace. JHAs can also be used to document changes in work tasks. Some solutions to potential hazards may be physical changes that eliminate or control the hazard or a modified job procedure that will help eliminate or minimize the hazard. 

Preliminary Hazard Analysis Description. The incorporation of this information into a PHA entry is shown as Table II. This entry describes the proposed actions needed to eliminate or control the hazard (column 6), the risk assessment code assigned after controls (column 7), and the identification of applicable codes and standards (column 8). 

Develop practical recommendations to eliminate or control the hazards identified. 

Inadequate attempts to eliminate or control the hazards in the system design, perhaps due to inappropriate assumptions about operations. 

Safety engineering is the discipline that attempts to reduce the risks by eliminating or controlling the hazards [p. 3],... 

It must not be assumed that for the two acceptable categories, action is not to be taken to eliminate or control the hazards. 

Occasionally, employees may be required to perform nonroutine tasks. Prior to starting work, each employee will be given information about the hazards of the area or procedure. This information will include (1) specific chemical hazards, (2) protection/safety measures the employee can take to lessen risks of performing the task, and (3) measures the company has taken to eliminate or control the hazard. It is the policy of this worksite that no employee will begin performance of a nonroutine task without first receiving appropriate safety and health training. Hazardous nonroutine tasks we have at our facility include the following (list hazardous nonroutine tasks)... 

A list of measures to isolate the permit space and eliminate or control the hazards ... 

This risk ranking is then used to decide whether the hazard risk should be accepted or not. This disposition or resolving of hazards requires the acceptance of the risk or implementation of a corrective action system to eliminate or control the hazard. The hazard reduction precedence described in Chapter 2 is then applied to determine how best to eliminate or control the hazard. It is imperative to validate that the control is adequate—that is, it actually does control the hazard—and to verify that the control is physically in place. 

The safety assessment summarizes the methods used to eliminate or control the hazards identified on the worksheet. It should summarize the following ... 

If a substance is associated with any hazards to health, your employer must eliminate or control the hazard by either using a different substance or by making sure the substance is used according to guidelines (i.e. used outside or only used for short periods of time). Your... 

These health problems are not visible or as dramatic as accidents because they usually don t haj>pen aU of a sudden. Nevertheless, they are extremely costly to the company and are a serious detriment to employee health. Many health hazards have to be assessed through measurements conducted by an industrial hygienist or other qualified individual. If a potential health hazard exists, it s important to determine the actual situation so appropriate steps can be taken to eliminate or control the hazard. 

Engineering controls design the environment, the process, equipment, and/or materials to directly eliminate or control the hazard(s).The hazard may be completely removed or if it stiU exists, mechanisms are in place to contain it. This level attempts to remove latent human error potential from the process as well as control the scope and nature of hazards and associated risks (Prevention through Design, 2012). 

The final stage in a JHA is to determine ways to eliminate or control the hazards identified. The generally accepted measures, in order of preference. 

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