2.7 Injury-Prevention Programs
This section contains essential elements of an injury-prevention program. Some local regulatory agencies may require additional elements. For example, some agencies may require employers to establish a formalized written injury-prevention program.
2.7.1 Risk Elimination
Eliminate risks by using the following control measures (or a combination of the measures that are applicable to your situation). The order of the control measures listed below is the preferred order.
-
Eliminate the hazard, or substitute a less hazardous material or process.
-
Use engineering controls, such as welding curtains, exhaust ventilation, machine interlocks, and so on, to reduce or mitigate the hazard.
-
Use administrative controls, such as training, job planning, rotation and scheduling, changes to work processes or procedures, or temporary work-area protections.
-
Use personal protective equipment (PPE).
To determine the feasibility of applying control measures in the recommended order above, consider the following:
-
Nature and extent of the risk
-
Level of risk reduction desired
-
Local, state, or federal regulations
-
Recognized best practices
-
Available technology to help reduce risks
-
Cost effectiveness of control measures
-
Internal standards or policies within the overall organization
2.7.2 Physical Ability Testing (PAT)
Physical ability testing (PAT) promotes workplace safety by requiring provisional or current employees in certain positions to demonstrate the physical abilities required to perform essential job functions.
The benefits of PAT include ensuring that job applicants are qualified, matching employees to the job best suited to them, and reducing workplace injuries and costs.