A core principle in safety management, the Hierarchy of Controls provides a systematic approach to risk mitigation. It ranks control measures from the most effective to the least effective, guiding a systematic approach to risk mitigation.

The hierarchy consists of:

1. Elimination & Substitution: Removing the hazard or replacing it with a safer alternative.
2. Engineering Controls: Physically isolating people from the hazard.
3. Administrative Controls: Changing how people work (e.g., procedures, training).
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): A last-resort barrier between the worker and the hazard.

An effective Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) program always prioritizes controls at the top of this hierarchy, viewing PPE as the final line of defense, not the primary solution.