Work Practices Controls

Engineering and technological innovation remain the preferred types of hazard control. 

Substitution results in using a less hazardous substance or less dangerous equipment. Isolation results in moving either workers or hazardous operations to reduce risks. Work practices include policies or rules that can reduce human exposure to a hazard. Administrative controls limit human exposure through use of rotation and scheduling. Only consider PPE when other controls prove inadequate. 

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Ensure that the contractor/subcontractor can implement a comprehensive health and safety program in compliance with applicable regulations, including accident prevention programs, medical surveillance, training, work practice controls, use of personal protective equipment, and so on. 

OSHA requires employers of workers who are occupationally exposed to cyanide to institute engineering controls and work practices to reduce and maintain employee exposure at or below permissible exposure limits (PEL). The employer must use engineering and work practice controls, if feasible, to reduce exposure to or below an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) of 5 mg/m3 as cyanide. Respirators must be provided and used during the time period necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls (OSHA 1974). 

The OSHA standard for coke oven emissions is a PEL of 0.15 mgm as an 8 h time-weighted average (TWA). Under this standard, specific engineering and work practice control requirements became effective. OSHA has also promulgated a PEL of <0.2mgm as an 8 h TWA for coal tar pitch volatiles. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NI-OSH) and OSHA have recommended work practices to minimize the harmful effects of exposure to coke oven emissions. 

An effective tuberculosis control plan will include determination of exposure at regular intervals for all employees who are at occupational risk. Engineering and work practice controls are particularly important in laboratory areas, such as surgical pathology and microbiology. But there is clearly a risk of exposure from specimens of patients with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis in every section of the laboratory, including chemistry. 

Engineering and work-practice controls must be implemented whenever employees are exposed above the PEL for more than 30 days per year. The controls include the requirement for a written compliance program to reduce personal exposures to below the PEL. If engineering and work-practice controls do not reduce exposures to below the PEL, respirators must be worn. If mechanical ventilation is used to control exposures, the ventilation system must be evaluated quarterly for its effectiveness in controlhng exposures (29 CFR 1910.1025(e)). 

An injury or illness of soft tissues of the fingers, upper arms, shoulders and neck, lower back, or legs that is primarily caused or exacerbated by workplace risk factors such as sustained and repeated exertions or awkward postures and manipulations. Administrative controls for MSD hazards include employee rotation, job task enlargement, alternative tasks, and employer-authorized changes in work pace. Work practice controls for MSD hazards include use of neutral postures to perform tasks (straight wrists, lifting close to the body), use of two-person lift teams, and observance of micro breaks. See also Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). 

What is the difference between work practice controls and administrative controls ... 

Employers should take appropriate preventative measures against occupational exposure. These include engineering controls and work practice controls. Examples of engineering controls include biohazard hoods, puncture-resistant sharps containers, mechanical pipette devices, and other devices that permanently remove the hazard or isolate individuals from exposure. Organizations must evaluate and incorporate new safer devices including needleless devices, needles with sheaths, and blunt suture needles. Work practice controls must include hand washing policies, sharps handling procedures, proper waste disposal techniques, and other actions that would reduce the likelihood of exposure. 

Use engineering and work practice controls to limit exposnre. Educate and train all exposed employees to safely enter and exit isolation rooms and to safely handle food trays coming from isolation rooms. Encourage staff to nse a special bag for contaminated trays coming from isolation rooms and label the bag with necessary precantions to take. Use only disposable trays and plastic ware when delivery to patient isolation rooms. 

Use gloves, masks, and gowns if blood or fluid exposure exists. Use appropriate engineering and work practice controls to limit exposure. Wear gloves to protect hands coming into contact with blood, mucous membranes, or nonintact skin. EoUow proper work practices when performing vascular access procedures or when handling contaminated itans or surfaces. 

Engineering, administrative, and work practice controls such as room layout and equipment placement, scheduling, staffing, patient assessment, training, and work practices may also need consideration to reduce the risk of developing an injury. 

Institute engineering and work practice controls to eliminate health hazards [29 CFR 1926.55, 29 CFR 1926.103,... 

Provide an overview of four prevention strategies engineering controls, work practice controls, PPE, and universal precautions. 

Differentiate between engineering and work practice controls. 

Person(s) responsible for administrative work practice controls (identification, triage, and isolation) to reduce atmospheric contamination ... 

Work practice controls— Any controls that reduce the likelihood of exposure by altering the manner in which a task is performed. 

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