The second best approach to prevent workplace injuries is to _____.

Eliminating the hazard is considered the second best approach in the hierarchy of controls for preventing workplace injuries. When a hazard is eliminated, it means that the risk associated with it is completely removed, effectively preventing any potential injury or harm. This aligns with the principle that addressing the source of danger is the most effective strategy for ensuring safety.

While identifying and reporting hazards are crucial steps in the process of managing workplace safety, they do not directly prevent injuries. Identifying a hazard means recognizing its presence, but this does not mitigate the risk. Similarly, reporting a hazard is important for raising awareness and prompting action, but it does not provide a solution on its own.

Controlling the hazard is a proactive step that involves implementing measures to reduce the risk of injury, such as using safety equipment or creating safety procedures. However, control measures still operate under the risk that the hazard exists, albeit in a managed form.

In contrast, the elimination of a hazard removes the danger entirely, which is a primary goal in occupational safety. This approach is prioritized in safety management systems and is viewed as the most effective way to protect workers from injury. Therefore, understanding the hierarchy of hazard control methods highlights why eliminating the hazard is the second best approach in preventing workplace injuries