In the three E's of safety, what is the primary intent of engineering controls?

The primary intent of engineering controls is to create barriers between individuals and hazards. Engineering controls involve modifying the work environment or process to eliminate or reduce exposure to hazards. This can include physical changes to equipment, redesigning workspaces, or implementing safety features that prevent the hazard from affecting workers.

By focusing on removing the hazard or isolating individuals from it, engineering controls are viewed as one of the most effective safety measures. They aim to address the root cause of the hazard, rather than relying on personal protective equipment or training, which are considered less effective as they do not eliminate the hazard itself.

In contrast, personal protective equipment serves as a last line of defense, safety training programs focus on educating employees about hazards and safe practices, and emergency response plans prepare for incidents after they occur, rather than preventing the hazards altogether. Engineering controls are foundational in the hierarchy of controls, emphasizing the importance of proactively addressing safety issues at their source.