Which is not a preferred method to control workplace hazards?

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is not considered a preferred method for controlling workplace hazards when compared to other control methods. The hierarchy of controls prioritizes strategies that reduce or eliminate risks at the source before relying on personal protective gear.

PPE serves as a last line of defense, providing a safeguard for workers after other control measures have been implemented. By using PPE, the hazard remains present; workers are simply shielded from its effects, which can still lead to incidents if the equipment fails, is improperly used, or if a situation evolves unexpectedly.

In contrast, strategies such as engineering controls and eliminating the hazard altogether are viewed as more effective. Engineering controls involve modifying equipment or processes to minimize exposure to hazards, while eliminating the hazard removes the risk entirely. Training employees enhances their ability to recognize and react to hazards, but it does not directly control or mitigate the hazard itself. Therefore, in the context of preferred methods for controlling workplace hazards, reliance on PPE alone is less effective than these other approaches.