What are the four principal approaches to hazard control and avoidance?

The four principal approaches to hazard control and avoidance that are widely recognized in workplace safety are engineering, administrative, personal protective equipment, and elimination/substitution of hazards. The correct approach will focus on practical, effective methods that address hazards at their source or mitigate risks to ensure safety in the workplace.

In the context of hazard control, engineering controls are designed to reduce hazards by redesigning equipment or workspaces, while administrative controls involve implementing policies and procedures to reduce the risk of exposure to hazards. Personal protective equipment is used as a last line of defense to protect workers when hazards cannot be adequately controlled by other means.

The selection of the correct answer hinges on how these approaches align with established safety practices. The emphasis on combinations of methods that reinforce one another—such as engineering to eliminate hazards and administrative controls to manage risk—incorporates a comprehensive safety strategy that is essential in maintaining a safe work environment.