FREE CONTROL TOOL
Training isn't a control. Neither is a toolbox talk. Test your controls in minutes.
A control is a specific, measurable object or action that directly stops energy from killing someone or limits the harm if it's released. Training, toolbox talks, FLHAs, procedures and signs may be communication activities to support controls, but they are not controls.
Is it an object or an action?
Does it prevent a fatal risk or reduce its consequence?
Can its required performance be specified, measured and verified?
Item
Concrete barrier between traffic and pedestrians
Control?
Control
Why
An object that physically separates people from vehicles
Item
Toolbox talk on walking safely
Control?
Not a control
Why
A way to talk about controls, not a control itself
Item
Guardrail at an open edge
Control?
Control
Why
An object that stops a fall of person
Item
Working-at-heights training
Control?
Not a control
Why
A way to talk about controls; doesn't stop a fall
Item
Isolation with verified zero energy
Control?
Control
Why
An action that removes the energy, preventing contact with electricity
Item
A procedure that says to lock out on page 6
Control?
Not a control
Why
Describes the control; the lockout itself is the control
Item
Gas detector alarming at the work face
Control?
Control
Why
Measures and warns before exposure to an irrespirable atmosphere
Item
A completed FLHA or JSA
Control?
Not a control
Why
A planning tool; it may list controls but isn't one
Item
Barricaded exclusion zone under a lift
Control?
Control
Why
Keeps people out of the drop zone
Item
“Watch for overhead hazards” sign
Control?
Not a control
Why
A reminder; doesn't stop the object or the person
Pick one activity with fatal potential from a recent JSA. List what it calls controls, then test each one.
| Listed “control” | Object or action? | Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? | Specific, measurable and verifiable? | Real control? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Object or action? |
Prevents a fatal risk or reduces its consequence? |
Specific, measurable and verifiable? |
Real control? ?
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Controls listed: 0 Real controls: 0
Few real controls? Then memory and paperwork are all that stand between your people and fatal risk.
WHITESPACE
whitespacerisk.ca
What a control is
A control is a specific, measurable object or action that directly stops energy from killing someone or limits the harm if it's released. Training, toolbox talks, FLHAs, procedures and signs may be communication activities to support controls, but they are not controls.
Three test questions
| Item | Control? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete barrier between traffic and pedestrians | Control | An object that physically separates people from vehicles |
| Toolbox talk on walking safely | Not a control | A way to talk about controls, not a control itself |
| Guardrail at an open edge | Control | An object that stops a fall of person |
| Working-at-heights training | Not a control | A way to talk about controls; doesn’t stop a fall |
| Isolation with verified zero energy | Control | An action that removes the energy, preventing contact with electricity |
| A procedure that says to lock out on page 6 | Not a control | Describes the control; the lockout itself is the control |
| Gas detector alarming at the work face | Control | Measures and warns before exposure to an irrespirable atmosphere |
| A completed FLHA or JSA | Not a control | A planning tool; it may list controls but isn’t one |
| Barricaded exclusion zone under a lift | Control | Keeps people out of the drop zone |
| “Watch for overhead hazards” sign | Not a control | A reminder; doesn’t stop the object or the person |
| Listed “control” | Object or action? | Prevents fatal risk / reduces consequence? | Specific, measurable and verifiable? | Real control? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Controls listed: 0 Real controls: 0
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