Understanding what is the hierarchy of controls is essential for any employer managing workplace risk in Canada. It is a structured approach used to eliminate or reduce hazards by applying the most effective controls first, rather than relying on weaker measures like personal protective equipment alone. When applied correctly, the hierarchy of controls strengthens compliance, improves hazard assessments, and directly reduces incident rates across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
The concept is simple, but the impact is significant. The closer you get to eliminating a hazard, the more reliable your control becomes. The further down the hierarchy you go, the more you depend on human behaviour, which introduces risk.
At its core, the hierarchy of controls is a ranked system used to control workplace hazards. It prioritizes controls based on effectiveness, from most reliable to least reliable.
The five levels are:
This structure matters because not all controls are equal. A hazard that is eliminated cannot cause harm. A hazard that is managed only with PPE still exists and can still lead to injury if something goes wrong.
In real workplaces, incidents often happen when organizations rely too heavily on administrative controls or PPE instead of addressing the hazard at its source.
Across Canada, employers are legally required to identify hazards and implement controls. Legislative requirements for hazard assessments are clearly defined in provincial regulations such as:
These laws require employers to assess hazards and implement controls that are reasonably practicable. While the legislation does not always explicitly name the hierarchy, regulators expect employers to follow its logic.
This creates a direct connection between hazard assessments and control selection.
If your hazard assessment identifies a risk but only applies PPE when elimination or engineering controls were possible, you are exposed. Inspectors and auditors often look for this gap because it indicates a weak safety system.
In practice, this means your hazard assessment process must:
This is where many organizations fall short.
Each level of the hierarchy plays a role, but the goal is always to work from the top down.
This is the most effective control because it removes the source of harm. For example, eliminating manual lifting by redesigning a process to use automated handling removes the risk of musculoskeletal injuries altogether.
This might involve switching to a less toxic chemical or using quieter equipment to reduce noise exposure. While the hazard still exists, the risk level is significantly reduced.
These controls are built into the workplace. Examples include machine guards, ventilation systems, or barriers that separate workers from moving equipment. These controls are reliable because they do not depend on worker behaviour.
This includes procedures, training, scheduling, and supervision. While necessary, these controls are less reliable because they rely on consistent human compliance.
PPE such as gloves, respirators, and safety glasses protects the worker, not the workplace. It is essential, but it should never be the primary control unless higher-level controls are not reasonably practicable.
Knowing what is the hierarchy of controls is one thing. Applying it properly is another.
In many workplaces, hazard assessments identify risks, but controls are selected based on convenience rather than effectiveness.
For example, consider a worker exposed to airborne dust:
The difference is control reliability. One depends on the worker wearing PPE correctly every time. The other removes exposure at the source.
This is where the hierarchy becomes a decision-making tool, not just a concept.
Supervisors and safety professionals should ask:
Only after those questions are addressed should administrative controls and PPE be considered.
Even experienced organizations make consistent errors when applying the hierarchy.
This usually happens because PPE is fast, visible, and relatively inexpensive. However, it shifts the burden onto workers and creates long-term risk exposure.
If hazards are not properly identified, the hierarchy cannot be applied effectively. This often results in controls that do not address the real risk.
Legislative requirements for hazard assessments expect employers to justify control decisions. If you cannot explain why elimination or engineering controls were not used, your program becomes difficult to defend during an audit or inspection.
The hierarchy of controls is not just a safety concept. It directly affects operational performance, cost, and compliance.
When hazards are controlled at lower levels, incidents become more likely. This leads to injuries, which result in lost time, production delays, and increased supervision requirements. Over time, this creates inefficiencies that affect output and quality.
Financially, workplace incidents increase WCB premiums, trigger administrative penalties, and lead to rework costs. In competitive industries, poor safety performance can also result in lost contracts or failed prequalification.
From a compliance standpoint, weak control selection exposes employers to regulatory enforcement, including orders, fines, and legal liability.
Organizations that prioritize higher-level controls often see:
These improvements are not theoretical. They are commonly observed when companies shift from reactive PPE-based systems to proactive hazard elimination and engineering controls.
Situation: A manufacturing company experiences frequent hand injuries related to manual material handling and contact with sharp edges.
Action: The company conducts a detailed hazard assessment and applies the hierarchy of controls. They redesign the process to eliminate manual handling where possible, introduce mechanical handling equipment, and install edge guards on materials.
Result: Hand injuries drop by over 40 percent within one year, WCB costs decrease, and production efficiency improves due to reduced downtime and fewer disruptions.
This is the practical value of applying the hierarchy correctly.
Applying the hierarchy of controls effectively requires more than a checklist. It requires a structured safety system, trained supervisors, and clear documentation.
Calgary Safety Consultants supports employers across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan with:
We work directly with employers to strengthen hazard assessments, align control strategies with legislative requirements, and improve real-world safety performance.
If your organization is relying too heavily on administrative controls or PPE, we can help you identify stronger solutions that reduce risk at the source.
Visit https://calgarysafetyconsultants.ca to learn more about how we support safer, more compliant workplaces.
The hierarchy of controls is one of the most important tools in occupational health and safety, but only when it is applied correctly.
If your hazard assessments stop at PPE or procedures, you are managing symptoms, not causes.
The shift happens when you start asking better questions about hazard elimination and control design. That is where real risk reduction begins, and where safety performance becomes predictable, measurable, and defensible.
Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, Part 2 Hazard Assessment
https://www.qp.alberta.ca/documents/Regs/2017_087.pdf
WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety Regulation
https://www.worksafebc.com/en/law-policy/occupational-health-safety/searchable-ohs-regulation
Saskatchewan Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020
https://publications.saskatchewan.ca/api/v1/products/104923/formats/117691/download
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) – Hierarchy of Controls
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/hierarchy_controls.html
The hierarchy of controls is a structured approach used to eliminate or reduce workplace hazards by prioritizing the most effective controls first. It starts with elimination and ends with PPE. This framework helps employers reduce reliance on worker behaviour and improve overall safety outcomes.
Legislative requirements for hazard assessments across Canada require employers to identify hazards and implement appropriate controls. While not always explicitly named, regulators expect employers to follow the hierarchy by prioritizing elimination and engineering controls where possible. Failing to do so can result in compliance issues during inspections or audits.
PPE is considered the least effective because it does not eliminate the hazard, it only protects the worker. It relies on proper use, maintenance, and consistent compliance. If PPE fails or is not used correctly, the worker remains exposed to the hazard.
Administrative controls should be used when higher-level controls are not reasonably practicable. They are useful for managing exposure through procedures, training, and supervision. However, they should not be the primary control if elimination, substitution, or engineering solutions are feasible.
A common example is replacing a hazardous chemical with a safer alternative (substitution) or installing machine guards to prevent contact with moving parts (engineering control). These approaches reduce risk at the source rather than relying on PPE. Strong applications typically combine multiple levels of control.
Employers who do not follow the hierarchy often rely too heavily on lower-level controls, which increases the likelihood of incidents. This can lead to injuries, regulatory enforcement, higher WCB costs, and failed COR audits. It also creates long-term operational inefficiencies.
Employers should train supervisors to evaluate hazards using the hierarchy and document control decisions clearly. This includes justifying why higher-level controls are not used. Regular reviews and audits help ensure controls remain effective and aligned with legislative requirements.
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Calgary Safety Consultants provides practical occupational health and safety consulting, safety training, COR support, safety program development, and regulatory compliance support for employers across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
We help organizations strengthen worker training, improve documentation, manage workplace hazards, prepare for audits, and build safety systems that support compliance, productivity, and operational due diligence.
