OHST Practice Exam 2025 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Installing machine guards is an example of an engineering control for safety because it involves modifying physical elements of the workplace to reduce or eliminate hazards. Engineering controls are designed to remove the hazard from the workplace or to isolate workers from the hazard. Machine guards act as barriers that prevent access to moving parts of machinery, reducing the risk of injury.

This approach contrasts with other safety measures, which tend to focus on administrative procedures or individual behavior. For example, safety training sessions and ergonomic assessments improve worker knowledge and workplace design but do not physically alter the work environment to eliminate hazards. Similarly, encouraging employees to report hazards fosters a safety culture and addresses potential issues, yet it does not change the physical conditions of the workplace itself. Thus, installing machine guards stands out as a direct intervention aimed at enhancing safety through structural and mechanical means.