With ever changing job site hazards and innovation of new safety equipment, it can be difficult to stay up to date on the latest safety measures and protocols. Understanding PPE hierarchy is important to navigating this challenge. It is important to remember that in most instances, the hierarchy controls will be used in combination with one another supporting a quality work site and ensuring a safe working environment.
PPE Hierarchy from most effective to least effective:
Eliminate and Substitute
- The most effective control is eliminating the risk altogether and replacing it with a safer solution.
Engineering and Administrative Controls
- The key to engineering controls is prevention, i.e. finding a way to isolate the workers from the hazard.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- PPE should be used when the other options are not possible
