précautions

Précautions, or precautions, are measures taken in advance to prevent harm or adverse outcomes. They are applied to anticipate risk and reduce exposure to danger, uncertainty, or damage in everyday life, workplaces, healthcare, research, and public policy. The goal is to lower the likelihood or severity of harm.

Precautions are commonly organized into controls and safeguards. Engineering controls reduce risk at the source, such as ventilation or safety enclosures. Administrative controls include procedures, training, signage, and shift scheduling. Personal protective equipment provides a final layer of protection, and procedural checklists help ensure consistent practice.

Examples include hand hygiene and vaccination in healthcare, biosafety practices in laboratories, fall protection and scaffolding safety in construction, travel advisories and inoculations for international travel, and safe storage of chemicals and medicines at home.

Decisions about precautions should be proportionate to the level of risk and informed by best available evidence. When evidence is uncertain but the potential for serious harm exists, the precautionary principle supports preventive action. Ongoing review and clear communication are essential to maintain effectiveness and public trust.