When Completing A Risk Assessment – How Do I Prioritise Risk Reduction Measures?

Risk Reduction Measures

Examples

Influence on Risk Factors

Classification

Elimination or Substitution

• Eliminate pinch points (increase clearance)
• Intrinsically safe (energy containment)
• Automated material handling (robots, conveyors, etc.)
• Redesign the process to eliminate or reduce human interaction
• Reduced energy
• Substitute less hazardous chemicals

• Impact on overall risk (elimination) by affecting severity and probability of harm
• May affect the severity of harm, frequency of exposure to the hazard under consideration, and/or the possibility of avoiding or limiting harm depending on which method of substitution is applied

Design Out

Guards

Safeguarding

Devices and

Complementary

Measures

• Barriers 
• Interlocks 
• Presence sensing devices (light curtains, safety mats, area scanners, etc.)
• Two hand control and two hand trip devices

• Greatest impact on the probability of harm (Occurrence of hazardous events under certain circumstances)
• Minimal if any impact on the severity of harm

Engineering Controls

Awareness Devices

• Lights, beacons, and strobes
• Computer warmings
• Signs and labels
• Beepers, horns, and sirens

• Potential impact on the probability of harm (avoidance) 
• No impact on the severity of harm

Administrative Controls

Training and Procedures

• Safe work procedure
• Safety equipment inspections
• Training
• Lockout/Tagout*

• Potential impact on the probability of harm (avoidance and/or exposure)
• No impact on severity of harm

Administrative Controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Safety glasses and face shields
• Ear plugs 
• Gloves 
• Protective footwear
• Respirators

• Potential impact on the probability of harm (avoidance)
• No impact on severity of harm

Administrative Controls

*Lockout / Tagout is lower in the hierarchy as it is an administrative control, however it may be required depending on the situation and applicable regulation.