Control Measures Are Assessed And Reviewed (SO3-AC3)

Control measures are the things you put in place to reduce risk and prevent harm.

Elimination should always be the first control measure you consider.

Examples of elimination:

• Use extendable tools to eliminate work at height
• Materials delivered cut to size to remove the use of blades
• Cordless equipment to get rid of trailing cables

Substitution is the second-best control measure you could use. Maybe the risk cannot be removed entirely, but could it be reduced by replacing the material, substance or process with something less dangerous.

Examples of substitution:

• Replacing ladders with tower scaffolds.

Engineering controls could be collective (e.g. protecting all workers) or individual protecting a single user. Give priority to measures which protect collectively over individual measures.

Examples of engineering controls:

• Installing guard rails to fall hazards.

Administrative controls are rules and systems to carry out the work. What procedures do you need to work safely?

Examples of administrative controls:

• Banning work at height and lifting operations in bad weather