What to know
Engineering controls protect workers by removing hazardous conditions or by placing a barrier between the worker and the hazard.
About
Well-designed engineering controls can be highly effective in protecting workers and will typically be independent of worker interactions. Examples include local exhaust ventilation to capture and remove airborne emissions or machine guards to shield the worker.
Engineering controls typically do not interfere with worker productivity or personal comfort and make the work easier to perform rather than more difficult. The initial cost of engineering controls can be higher than some other control methods, but over the longer term, operating costs are frequently lower, and in some instances, can provide a cost savings in other areas of the process.
To learn more about how engineering controls fit into the strategy for reducing and/or eliminating occupational hazards see the tools and resources below.
Tools and Resources
