Which type of control includes establishing policies and SOPs to warn, train personnel, and limit exposure?

• A. Hazard Communication
• B. Administrative Controls
• C. PPE
• D. Engineering Controls

Answer: (B)

Administrative controls focus on how work is organized and governed to reduce risk. Establishing policies and standard operating procedures, along with warning systems and training, shapes how personnel perform tasks and limits their exposure by design. This approach changes behavior and workflow rather than altering the hazard itself or providing a personal barrier. For example, a safety policy that requires specific training before performing a task, SOPs that dictate step-by-step safe procedures, warning signs to alert workers, and access controls to limit who can work in a high-exposure area all exemplify administrative controls.

Hazard communication centers on informing workers about hazards, labeling, and safety data sheets, not on shaping day-to-day procedures. PPE provides a protective barrier to the individual but doesn’t change the work process or exposure level. Engineering controls involve physical changes to remove or reduce the hazard at the source, such as ventilation or machine guarding. Therefore, establishing policies, SOPs, and training to warn and limit exposure fits administrative controls.