Engineering Controls

Figure 1

There are many types of devices that make work safer.

• Ventilation is a good way to get rid of harmful substances in the air. General ventilation is meant for a large area such as a building’s air handling system. Local ventilation is designed for a small area or specific operation like a fume hood or biological safety cabinet. See Figure 1. 
  
  
• Patient lifting devices reduce the strain on workers’ backs and limbs from lifting and moving patients. See Figure 2.  
  
  
• Needles that retract or are sheathed after use protect workers from getting stuck by infected needles.
  
  
• Electric starters instead of pull cords eliminate a repetitive stress on the arms and shoulders. An automatic door opener on a bus means the driver does not have to repeatedly pull and push a lever to open and close the door.
  
  
• An enclosure that contains asbestos dust during brake and clutch maintenance. See Figure 3. 
  
  
• Locating a compressor away from workers reduces their exposure to loud noise that can damage hearing.
  

There are many types of devices that make work safer.

• Ventilation is a good way to get rid of harmful substances in the air. General ventilation is meant for a large area such as a building’s air handling system. Local ventilation is designed for a small area or specific operation like a fume hood or biological safety cabinet. See Figure 1. 
  
  
• Patient lifting devices reduce the strain on workers’ backs and limbs from lifting and moving patients. See Figure 2.  
  
  
• Needles that retract or are sheathed after use protect workers from getting stuck by infected needles.
  
  
• Electric starters instead of pull cords eliminate a repetitive stress on the arms and shoulders. An automatic door opener on a bus means the driver does not have to repeatedly pull and push a lever to open and close the door.
  
  
• An enclosure that contains asbestos dust during brake and clutch maintenance. See Figure 3. 
  
  
• Locating a compressor away from workers reduces their exposure to loud noise that can damage hearing.