Provide examples of engineering controls that reduce exposure to hazards in the workplace.

• A. Personal protective equipment only.
• B. Ventilation improvements, machine guarding, enclosures, safety interlocks, and isolation of sources.
• C. Job rotation.
• D. Administrative policies.

Answer: (B)

Engineering controls are physical changes to the workplace that remove or reduce hazards at the source, so exposure is lowered without relying on workers’ behavior. The examples listed—ventilation improvements, machine guarding, enclosures, safety interlocks, and isolation of sources—illustrate this approach. Ventilation reduces inhalation risks by diluting or removing airborne contaminants. Machine guarding blocks access to moving parts, preventing contact injuries. Enclosures contain the hazard within a confined area, limiting worker exposure. Safety interlocks ensure equipment automatically stops when a guard or access point is opened. Isolation of sources physically separates the hazard from workers, such as placing a noisy or dangerous process away from personnel or using barriers.

Other options are not engineering controls: PPE is protective gear worn by workers and relies on correct use. Job rotation and administrative policies are administrative controls that change how work is organized or how rules are followed, rather than altering the physical exposure itself.