Apa itu hierarchy of controls dan bagaimana aplikasinya untuk operator?

Hierarchy of Controls adalah framework systematic untuk reduce atau eliminate hazard - ada urutan prioritas dari most effective ke least effective.

5 Levels of Control (Top to Bottom, Most to Least Effective):

Level 1: ELIMINATION (Most Effective - 100%)

Definition: Completely remove hazard

Examples untuk Heavy Equipment:

• Eliminate confined space entry: Install external access port untuk inspection instead masuk tank
• Eliminate manual handling: Use mechanical lift instead manual carrying
• Eliminate reversing: Design one-way traffic flow, drive-through loading
• Eliminate height work: Pre-assemble structure di ground level

Effectiveness: 100% - no hazard, no risk

Limitation: Often not feasible - work still need to be done

Level 2: SUBSTITUTION

Definition: Replace hazardous dengan less hazardous

Examples:

• Replace diesel equipment dengan electric di indoor/confined area - eliminate exhaust fume
• Use water-based hydraulic fluid instead petroleum-based - less fire risk
• Substitute toxic cleaning chemical dengan biodegradable
• Use smaller equipment jika adequate - lower energy, easier control

Effectiveness: 70-90% - hazard still exist tapi reduced severity

Level 3: ENGINEERING CONTROLS

Definition: Isolate people from hazard melalui physical means

Examples untuk Heavy Equipment:

• ROPS (Rollover Protective Structure): Cabin protect operator jika tip-over
• FOPS (Falling Object Protective Structure): Guard against falling material
• Proximity detection system: Sensor warn atau stop equipment jika worker too close
• Reversing camera & alarm: Increase visibility, warn pedestrian
• Cabin air filtration: Protect dari dust
• Vibration dampening seat: Reduce whole-body vibration exposure
• Guarding: Cover pinch point, rotating parts
• Ventilation: Extract exhaust fume dari confined space

Effectiveness: 50-70% - hazard present tapi contact prevented/reduced

Level 4: ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS

Definition: Change way people work melalui procedure, training, rotation

Examples:

• Safe Work Procedure: Step-by-step method untuk safely perform task
• Training: SIO certification, refresher course
• Permit to Work: Authorization system untuk high-risk work
• Job rotation: Limit exposure duration (ergonomic, noise, vibration)
• Scheduled maintenance: Prevent equipment failure
• Exclusion zone: Keep people away dari hazard area
• Shift limit: Fatigue management - max 12 hours
• Buddy system: Two-person rule untuk certain task
• Signage & marking: Warning sign, barricade tape

Effectiveness: 20-50% - depend on human compliance (can be bypassed)

Level 5: PPE (Least Effective - Last Resort)

Definition: Personal protective equipment worn by worker

Examples:

• Safety helmet, safety shoes, high-vis vest
• Hearing protection (earplug, earmuff)
• Respirator atau dust mask
• Safety glasses
• Gloves
• Fall arrest harness

Effectiveness: 10-30% - protect individual only, failure-prone

Mengapa PPE Paling Tidak Efektif:

• Depend on user compliance - bisa lupa pakai
• Can fail - tear, damage
• Improper use - tidak fitted correctly
• Discomfort - tendency untuk remove
• Tidak reduce hazard - hanya barrier antara hazard dan person

APPLICATION PRINCIPLE:

"Work Down the Hierarchy"

1. Always start dengan top - can we eliminate?
2. If tidak - can we substitute?
3. If tidak - what engineering control possible?
4. Add administrative control untuk reinforce
5. PPE as last layer - NEVER rely on PPE alone

Example Application - Excavator Struck-By Hazard:

Hazard: Worker struck by swinging excavator boom

Control Options (Evaluated Top-Down):

1. Elimination: Can we eliminate excavator operation? NO - needed untuk digging
2. Substitution: Use smaller equipment? NO - capacity needed
3. Engineering:
• YES - Install proximity detection system (sensor stop boom if person detected)
• YES - Install 360° camera untuk better visibility
4. Administrative:
• YES - Establish 5-meter exclusion zone dengan barricade
• YES - Assign spotter untuk guide operator
• YES - Require operator SIO certification
5. PPE:
• YES - High-visibility vest untuk all workers

Result: Layered defense - multiple controls working together

Key Takeaway:

• More effective controls are capital-intensive tapi long-term better
• Less effective controls are cheaper initially tapi require ongoing compliance
• Combination approach (Swiss cheese model) - multiple layers cover each other's weakness

Operator should advocate untuk higher-level controls - speak up jika relying too much on PPE!