Hazard Recognition, Evaluation, and Control
The core loop
Hazard recognition, evaluation, and control is a four-step cycle: find the hazard, quantify the risk, select controls, then verify the controls actually worked. Exams test whether you can run that cycle in the right order.
Recognition
Know the distinction between a hazard (a source or condition with potential to cause harm) and risk (the likelihood and severity of harm from that hazard). Recognition tools include walkthrough inspections, job hazard analysis (JHA) at the task level, management-of-change reviews for new equipment or chemicals, review of injury and near-miss data, worker reports, and direct measurement such as air sampling, noise dosimetry, and illumination surveys.
Evaluation
Exposure is compared against a benchmark: OSHA PELs, ACGIH TLVs, NIOSH RELs, or consensus criteria. Risk scoring (likelihood x severity) ranks hazards so limited resources go to the worst first.
Control
Apply the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE. The hierarchy is a strong preference order, not an absolute mandate; when a higher-order control is infeasible, document why and install interim controls until a better one exists.
Traps
Questions love to offer "retrain the employee" or "issue PPE" as the best answer when an engineering fix is available. Watch for hazard/risk confusion, treating a completed JHA as proof of control, and skipping verification after implementation (re-sampling noise or air after installing an enclosure). Administrative controls that depend on constant human compliance rank below controls that work passively.
Worked example: dosimetry shows 95 dBA TWA. The strongest answer is engineering (enclosure, damping, isolation), followed by administrative rotation, with hearing protection last as the residual layer.