Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

Which of the following represents the first step in the hierarchy of controls?

1. Engineering controls

2. Substitution

3. Elimination

4. PPE

The correct answer is: Elimination

The first step in the hierarchy of controls is elimination. This approach is centered around removing the hazard from the workplace entirely, which is the most effective way to ensure safety. By eliminating a hazard, there is no risk associated with it, as opposed to other controls that may merely mitigate the risk or protect individuals from exposure. Elimination can involve redesigning processes or workflows to remove the hazard or replacing hazardous materials with non-hazardous ones. Given that the hierarchy of controls is designed to prioritize interventions that reduce or eliminate risk at its source, starting with elimination sets a strong foundation for ensuring safety in any environment. Substitution, engineering controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE) follow in the hierarchy of controls but do not address the hazard as directly as elimination does. By understanding that removal of the hazard is the most effective strategy, healthcare safety professionals can prioritize efforts that lead to a safer workplace.