In order to eliminate the change of loss, risk control methods (from most effective to least) include:
- Elimination: removing the risk entirely
- Substitution: swapping an item or work process for a safer one (for instance, switching to an industrial cleaner that poses fewer respiratory risks)
- Engineering controls: modifications to the environment or equipment that poses the risk (such as installing mirrors in warehouses or machine guards on circular saws)
- Administrative controls: modifications to the workflow or work process (for example, rotating employees through several different work tasks to prevent repetitive stress injuries)
- Personal protective equipment: safety gear worn by the workers, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and chemical-resistant gloves