Hazard Elimination
General Safety | 10-15 min
Summary
The hierarchy of controls ranks elimination as the most effective way to manage workplace hazards - when a hazard is removed entirely, there is zero risk of injury from that hazard. Studies show that elimination and substitution controls are 90-100% effective, while personal protective equipment is often only 50-70% effective because it depends on consistent, correct human behavior. Yet many organizations focus on PPE first because it seems simpler, missing opportunities to eliminate hazards permanently.
Members get the full script, discussion questions, English + Spanish printable PDFs, and email delivery.
Start your 7-day free trialKey Points to Cover
- Elimination is the most effective hazard control
- Consider if the hazard can be removed entirely
- Substitution replaces hazards with safer alternatives
- Design processes to eliminate hazards from the start
- Involve workers in identifying elimination opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should this safety talk take?
Plan for about 10-15 min, with extra time for questions and site-specific examples.
Can I tailor the discussion to my workplace?
Yes. Use the key points as a starting place and connect them to the tasks, equipment, and procedures your team uses.