How should risk controls be prioritized during re-entry planning?

• A. PPE first, administrative controls, engineering controls, substitution, elimination
• B. Eliminate hazards, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, PPE
• C. Administrative controls first, PPE, engineering, substitution, elimination
• D. Elimination then substitution, PPE, administrative controls, engineering controls

Answer: (B)

The hierarchy of controls guides risk reduction from the most effective to the least effective in re-entry planning. If a hazard can be removed entirely, do so; if not, substitute the hazard with something less dangerous. If the hazard still exists, apply engineering controls to physically reduce or remove the exposure. If exposure can still occur, implement administrative controls to change how the work is performed and limit exposure time. Only after these should PPE be used as the final layer of protection.

In re-entry contexts, that means not re-entering or using remote assessment if conditions are unsafe (eliminate), using a less hazardous method or material if possible (substitution), installing ventilation, containment, or barriers to isolate the hazard (engineering controls), enforcing permits, time limits, buddy systems, and thorough briefings (administrative controls), and finally providing respirators, protective suits, or other PPE when residual risk remains.

Starting with PPE or placing administrative controls before addressing elimination, substitution, or engineering controls would leave workers exposed longer or to higher hazard levels than necessary, which is why the correct approach follows this order.