, MNO2607 ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2025 ANSWERS
DUE DATE 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION 1
HIERARCHY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT CONTROLS
The hierarchy of safety management controls is a foundational framework in occupational
health and safety (OHS) that provides organizations with a structured approach to identifying,
assessing, and mitigating workplace hazards. It operates on the principle that the most
effective way to protect employees is to eliminate hazards at their source, rather than merely
controlling or responding to their consequences. At the top of the hierarchy are elimination
and substitution, which involve either completely removing a hazard from the work
environment or replacing it with a safer alternative. For example, a manufacturing plant may
eliminate exposure to a toxic chemical by redesigning a process to use a non-toxic substance,
or a construction site may substitute a dangerous scaffold system with a safer automated
lifting system. These measures are highly effective because they prevent exposure before it
occurs, and they are widely regarded as the most reliable strategies for reducing workplace
incidents and occupational illnesses (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
2020; Health and Safety Executive, 2019). By addressing hazards at their source, elimination
and substitution not only protect workers directly but also reduce long-term organizational
costs associated with accidents, compensation claims, and operational downtime.
When elimination or substitution is not feasible, organizations turn to engineering controls,
which focus on isolating employees from hazards through physical modifications to the work
environment, equipment, or processes. Engineering controls include installing machine
guards, local exhaust ventilation, noise barriers, automated machinery, and other structural
modifications designed to prevent direct contact with harmful agents or mechanical hazards.
Unlike administrative controls or personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering solutions
do not rely on individual compliance and provide continuous protection as long as the system
is properly designed, maintained, and monitored (International Labour Organization, 2018;
Goetsch, 2020). By integrating engineering controls into workplace design, organizations can
achieve a sustainable reduction in risk, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a safer work
culture that prioritizes hazard prevention over reactive measures.
Below engineering controls are administrative controls, which aim to reduce worker
exposure through changes in workplace practices and organizational policies. Administrative
measures include implementing standard operating procedures, safety rules, training
DUE DATE 11 SEPTEMBER 2025
QUESTION 1
HIERARCHY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT CONTROLS
The hierarchy of safety management controls is a foundational framework in occupational
health and safety (OHS) that provides organizations with a structured approach to identifying,
assessing, and mitigating workplace hazards. It operates on the principle that the most
effective way to protect employees is to eliminate hazards at their source, rather than merely
controlling or responding to their consequences. At the top of the hierarchy are elimination
and substitution, which involve either completely removing a hazard from the work
environment or replacing it with a safer alternative. For example, a manufacturing plant may
eliminate exposure to a toxic chemical by redesigning a process to use a non-toxic substance,
or a construction site may substitute a dangerous scaffold system with a safer automated
lifting system. These measures are highly effective because they prevent exposure before it
occurs, and they are widely regarded as the most reliable strategies for reducing workplace
incidents and occupational illnesses (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health,
2020; Health and Safety Executive, 2019). By addressing hazards at their source, elimination
and substitution not only protect workers directly but also reduce long-term organizational
costs associated with accidents, compensation claims, and operational downtime.
When elimination or substitution is not feasible, organizations turn to engineering controls,
which focus on isolating employees from hazards through physical modifications to the work
environment, equipment, or processes. Engineering controls include installing machine
guards, local exhaust ventilation, noise barriers, automated machinery, and other structural
modifications designed to prevent direct contact with harmful agents or mechanical hazards.
Unlike administrative controls or personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering solutions
do not rely on individual compliance and provide continuous protection as long as the system
is properly designed, maintained, and monitored (International Labour Organization, 2018;
Goetsch, 2020). By integrating engineering controls into workplace design, organizations can
achieve a sustainable reduction in risk, enhance operational efficiency, and foster a safer work
culture that prioritizes hazard prevention over reactive measures.
Below engineering controls are administrative controls, which aim to reduce worker
exposure through changes in workplace practices and organizational policies. Administrative
measures include implementing standard operating procedures, safety rules, training
