Choosing and Implementing Controls

• Issued: December 2009
• Content last reviewed: December 2009

Effective controls for Pains and Strains/MSD type hazards do not have to be elaborate or expensive. Often simple changes in a work process, workstation layout or tool are effective.

Ideally controls should be designed to eliminate a worker’s exposure to the identified hazards. The two main types of controls are engineering and administrative. Engineering controls will reduce or eliminate a worker’s exposure to a control whereas administrative controls do not change the physical environment but they do reduce the risk.

Examples of engineering controls include:

• Modifying a workstation
• Providing new equipment or tools
• Changing the existing equipment or tools
• Modifying the work process

Examples of administrative controls include:

• Establishing written policies and work procedures
• Changing work schedules
• Adjusting staffing
• Training workers
• Rotating workers
• Broadening the job content

A key element of choosing and implement effective ergonomic controls is to involve appropriate workers. Workers who do the job should be part of the team.

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