What is the hierarchy of controls?

The hierarchy of controls is a model used by safety professionals to illustrate and determine feasible and effective methods for reducing exposure to hazards.

VelocityEHS’s hierarchy of controls model for MSD risk is a refinement based on current models of leading agencies and institutions. Our position is that there are five general levels of control. These reflect the current research on the effectiveness of MSD controls, providing a focused model from which to plan and determine workplace ergonomics improvements. The descriptions are simple, intuitive, and specific, to improve communication, understanding, and application by employers in a wide range of industries.

The five levels of controls can be grouped into three types:

• Engineering: Changes in the physical setup of the workplace and job that eliminate or reduce exposure to MSD risk factors. “Well-designed engineering controls…will typically be independent of worker interactions.” (NIOSH, 2016)
• Administrative: Changes to work pace and/or workforce that control or reduce exposure to risk factors. “These measures include additional relief workers, exercise breaks, and rotation of workers. These types of controls are normally used in conjunction with other controls that more directly prevent or control exposure to the hazard.” (OSHA, 2015)
• Other: Personal protective equipment (protective devices worn by the person performing work). Effective PPE for exposure to MSD risk factors has not been validated, but “Other” also includes additional approaches to managing MSDs (stretching, fitness, job matching, etc.). (NIOSH, 1983, 1994, 2013; OSHA, 2003, 2008)

In the Control drop-down menu in the Improvements phase of a job assessment, the options fall into the following groups:

Engineering

• • Eliminate – eliminate risk
  • Equipment Change – change workplace equipment to reduce risk

Administrative

• • Job Rotation & Schedule – reduce the time of exposure to risks
  • Work Instruction & Coaching – establish employee work practices to reduce risks

Other

• • Provide PPE, stretching, fitness, or other programs

The effectiveness of engineering and administrative controls has been described by OHSA (2016), NIOSH (2015), and other organizations. A comprehensive evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of ergonomics improvements by Goggins, et al (2008) quantified the greater return from engineering improvements than from administrative controls.