Which type of control reduces risk by design, material selection, and substitution?

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

Answer: (B)

Engineering controls reduce risk at the source by changing how the work is done—through design improvements, safer material choices, and substituting hazardous substances with less dangerous ones. By altering the system itself, the hazard is less likely to reach the worker, so exposure is minimized without depending on behavior or personal protective equipment. Examples include redesigning equipment to enclose a process, selecting a less hazardous chemical, or replacing a dangerous process with a safer alternative. Administrative controls rely on people following procedures, training, or scheduling, and PPE requires workers to wear protective gear, which still leaves the hazard present. Hazard abatement is a broader term, but the specifics described—design change and substitution—fit the engineering controls approach most directly.