Hierarchy of prevention and control measures

[ch 4: pages 24-25]

The TUC emphasises that risk prevention should follow a “hierarchy of controls” model. Its COVID-19 Coronavirus guidance to unions gives the following examples of this approach:

• elimination: remove the hazard — working from home, furlough workers, protect wages (see Chapter 5);

• substitution: replace the hazard — alter the job, do it outside (see Chapter 5);

• engineering controls: isolate the hazard — ventilation, filtration, disinfection (see Chapter 6);

• administrative controls: change work practices — distancing, screens, handwashing (see Chapter 7);

• personal protective equipment (PPE): as a last resort where other controls do not sufficiently reduce the risks (see Chapter 8).

The guidance presents this hierarchy as an upside-down pyramid and advises reps: “Do not allow employers to ‘flip’ the pyramid by starting at PPE simply because it is cheap and easy. Your health and safety should come before business profits.”

The RMT rail union’s Coronavirus — COVID 19 Pandemic: RMT advice to members employed in the rail industry provides further information about how this method of controlling risks requires employers to consider a number of steps.