Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which hazard control technique involves replacing the hazard with a less dangerous option?

1. Elimination

2. Substitution

3. PPE

4. Engineering controls

The correct answer is: Substitution

Substitution is the hazard control technique that focuses on replacing a hazardous material or process with a safer alternative that poses a lower level of risk. This is an important strategy in safety management and risk reduction because it directly addresses the source of the hazard rather than just managing its effects. In practice, substitution can involve using a different chemical that is less toxic, opting for a less hazardous method of performing a task, or choosing equipment that reduces risk. This technique is preferred when feasible because it often leads to a more sustainable and long-term solution for workplace safety, eliminating the risk at its root instead of merely mitigating it through other means. Other hazard control techniques, such as elimination, involve completely removing the hazard from the environment, which may not always be possible. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) serves to protect individuals from hazards but does not remove the hazard itself. Engineering controls modify the environment to reduce or isolate individuals from the hazard but again do not substitute the hazard with something less dangerous. Thus, substitution stands out as a proactive approach to enhancing safety by replacing a hazardous element with something safer.