Which is a primary prevention measure in occupational health?

• A. Administrative controls
• B. PPE
• C. Surveillance programs
• D. Engineering controls

Answer: (D)

Primary prevention aims to prevent disease or injury before it starts by removing or reducing the hazard at the source. Engineering controls do exactly that by altering the work environment or equipment to lower or eliminate worker exposure, such as enclosing a noisy process, installing local exhaust ventilation to capture fumes where they’re generated, or adding guards to machinery. These solutions don’t depend on worker behavior to be effective, making them a proactive and systemic way to prevent harm.

Administrative controls—like rotating workers or changing work schedules—reduce exposure but still rely on consistent human behavior and procedures to work. PPE provides protection at the moment of exposure but is the last line of defense and depends on proper use and compliance; it doesn’t remove the hazard itself. Surveillance programs focus on detecting health effects or exposures after they occur, not preventing exposure.

So, engineering controls stand out as the best primary prevention method among the options.