Step 3 - Decide on control measures
You need to answer the following questions:
- Are there legislated things that I must do in relation to the specific hazard?
- Is there a Code of Practice relating to the specific hazard?
- What are existing controls?
- Are controls as high as possible in hierarchy of control priorities?
- Do controls protect everyone exposed to harm?
- What additional controls are required?
If there is a provision within the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008 about any hazards you have identified then you must control the risks associated with those hazards in the way specified.
If there is a Code of Practice about any of the hazards you have identified then you must do what the code of practice says or adopt and follow another way that gives the same level of protection against the risks.
View a full list of the Codes of Practice
If there is no direction within Regulation, or you choose to follow another way to protect against risks you must consider the hierarchy of control measures to decide on what are appropriate control measures.
Hierarchy of control measures
Control measures should be implemented in the following order:
- get rid of the harm or prevent the risk
- if this is not possible:
- replace with something less harmful
- separate people from the harm
- change work processes or the physical work environment, for example, by redesigning work, plant, equipment, components or premises
- apply administrative arrangements, for example, limit entry or time spent in a hazardous area
- use personal protective equipment
For more information on deciding on control measures refer to Section 1 of Supplement 3 of the Risk Management Code of Practice 2007.
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