Which scenario best illustrates when administrative controls are preferred over engineering controls?

Which scenario best illustrates when administrative controls are preferred over engineering controls?

• A. When a hazard cannot be eliminated physically but can be controlled with procedures, training, or signage; for example, lockout-tagout procedures with permit-to-work.
• B. When a hazard can be eliminated by redesigning the equipment.
• C. When a hazard is not significant and requires no controls.
• D. When only personal protective equipment is required.

Answer: (B)

Administrative controls change how people work to reduce risk rather than changing the equipment or the process itself. They include procedures, training, signage, access controls, permits, and lockout-tagout programs. They’re used when you can’t physically remove the hazard but you can limit exposure through how work is done. For example, lockout-tagout with a permit-to-work ensures a machine is safely isolated during maintenance, even if the machine could still pose a risk in operation. Engineering controls, by contrast, aim to remove or isolate the hazard by redesigning the equipment or process—for instance, redesigning a piece of equipment to eliminate the hazard, or adding guards or ventilation. So the scenario that best illustrates administrative controls is the one describing control through procedures, training, or signage (like permit-to-work). The option about redesigning the equipment describes an engineering control, which would be preferred when elimination by design is feasible.

Administrative controls change how people work to reduce risk rather than changing the equipment or the process itself. They include procedures, training, signage, access controls, permits, and lockout-tagout programs. They’re used when you can’t physically remove the hazard but you can limit exposure through how work is done. For example, lockout-tagout with a permit-to-work ensures a machine is safely isolated during maintenance, even if the machine could still pose a risk in operation.

Engineering controls, by contrast, aim to remove or isolate the hazard by redesigning the equipment or process—for instance, redesigning a piece of equipment to eliminate the hazard, or adding guards or ventilation.

So the scenario that best illustrates administrative controls is the one describing control through procedures, training, or signage (like permit-to-work). The option about redesigning the equipment describes an engineering control, which would be preferred when elimination by design is feasible.