Which principle should guide the hierarchy of controls in workplace safety?

The principle that should guide the hierarchy of controls in workplace safety is prioritizing the elimination of hazards. This principle is foundational because it emphasizes addressing the root cause of a risk rather than merely managing its symptoms. The goal of workplace safety is to create an environment where hazards are removed entirely whenever feasible, thus effectively preventing incidents and injuries before they can occur.

This approach is paramount because eliminating hazards leads to the safest workplace possible. When hazards are completely removed, no additional measures, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) or administrative controls, are needed for those specific risks. This directly reduces the potential for accidents and establishes a culture of safety.

In contrast, other options, such as choosing the least expensive option or implementing controls in isolation, focus on cost or singular strategies, which may not adequately address the comprehensive safety needs of the workplace. Maximizing worker responsibilities may also lead to increased risk if adequate controls are not implemented initially to protect workers. The tiered structure of controls prioritizes elimination and substitution over other methods to ensure a proactive approach to health and safety in the workplace.