What is the primary purpose of the hierarchy of controls in occupational safety?

• A. To prevent exposure by prioritizing control strategies.
• B. To rank chemicals by hazard.
• C. To determine compensation for injuries.
• D. To identify cheapest controls.

Answer: (A)

The hierarchy of controls is about preventing or reducing workers’ exposure by prioritizing control strategies from most to least effective. The idea is to address the hazard at its source first—eliminating it or substituting a less dangerous option if possible—then use engineering controls to separate people from the hazard, followed by administrative controls to change how work is done, and only as a last resort rely on personal protective equipment. This structured approach aims to build protection into the job itself and reduce reliance on individual behavior. The primary purpose, therefore, is to prevent exposure by prioritizing control strategies based on their effectiveness.

Other options miss the point: ranking chemicals by hazard, determining compensation, or seeking the cheapest controls aren’t the goals of this framework.