National Safe Work Month: Week 3 – Controlling Risks with Practical Solutions
In Week 3 of National Safe Work Month, the focus shifts from identifying and assessing hazards to what really matters—controlling risks. Eliminating or minimising hazards is at the heart of effective WHS management. By applying the hierarchy of controls and addressing both physical and psychosocial risks, businesses can create safer, more resilient workplaces across Australia.
Identifying and assessing hazards means little without the next step: controlling risks. For Week 3 of National Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia reminds us that the best way to protect people is by eliminating risks wherever possible .
The Hierarchy of Controls
Controls aren’t all equal. Safe Work Australia uses the hierarchy of controls to rank them:
Eliminate the risk – remove it entirely.
Substitute – replace with something safer.
Isolate – separate people from the hazard.
Engineering controls – redesign equipment or the environment.
Administrative controls – training, procedures, supervision.
PPE – protective clothing or equipment.
The higher up the hierarchy, the more effective the control .
Physical and Psychosocial Risks
It’s not just machinery and chemicals. Psychosocial risks (like stress, fatigue, bullying, or poor support) must also be managed the same way. This might mean redesigning tasks, changing systems of work, or building respectful workplace behaviours .
Why It Matters
Implementing the hierarchy of controls is essential to reducing workplace injuries and maintaining compliance with the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. From eliminating hazards to introducing engineering or administrative controls, each step strengthens your overall safety framework. Remember, managing psychosocial risks such as stress, bullying, and fatigue is just as important as addressing physical dangers in your WHS systems.
Action this week: Choose one hazard from your risk register and ask: Can we eliminate this risk entirely? If not, what’s the highest level of control we can realistically apply?
Controlling risks is where real safety outcomes begin. Don’t wait for an incident to test your systems. Book your free, no obligation 30-minute Safety Health Check today and discover how Anzen Safety & Training can help your business apply practical, effective controls that protect your people and ensure full WHS compliance.
