riskreduceringshierarki

Riskreduceringshierarki, often translated as the hierarchy of risk control, is a widely accepted framework used to determine the most effective ways to eliminate or manage hazards in the workplace and other environments. It prioritizes control measures based on their ability to reduce or eliminate risk, moving from the most effective to the least effective.

The top of the hierarchy is elimination, which involves completely removing the hazard from the situation. This is the most effective method because it removes the risk entirely. If elimination is not possible, the next level is substitution, where the hazard is replaced with something less dangerous. This reduces the severity of the risk.

Following substitution is engineering controls. These are physical changes to the workplace, equipment, or process that isolate people from the hazard. Examples include machine guards or ventilation systems. After engineering controls comes administrative controls, which involve changes to work practices, procedures, or policies to reduce exposure to the hazard. This could include job rotation, safety training, or warning signs.

The lowest level of the hierarchy is personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes items like gloves, safety glasses, or respirators that workers wear to protect themselves from hazards. PPE is considered the least effective control measure because it relies on the individual worker using it correctly and does not eliminate the hazard itself. The risk reduceringshierarki emphasizes that higher-level controls are always preferred over lower-level ones.