At THSP, we believe that effective health and safety management is about more than ticking boxes. Whether you operate in construction, manufacturing, engineering, retail, or facilities management, the ultimate goal is always the same: everyone gets home safely.
One of the most effective frameworks for achieving this is the Hierarchy of Control. This tried and tested approach helps organisations identify and manage risks by prioritising the most effective control measures first. It underpins everything we do as a health and safety consultancy and forms a core part of the way THSP helps our customers stay safe, compliant and confident.
The Hierarchy of Control
- Eliminate – Remove the hazard completely so the risk no longer exists.
- Reduce – Substitute or minimise the hazard by replacing it with something less dangerous or lowering exposure levels.
- Isolate – Separate people from the hazard through barriers, distance, or time controls.
- Control – Use engineering or administrative measures to control the risk at its source (e.g. guards, extraction systems, safe systems of work).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Provide suitable PPE to protect individuals when other controls cannot fully remove the risk.
- Discipline – Ensure ongoing training, supervision, monitoring and enforcement of safe practices to maintain control and continuous improvement.
The higher up the hierarchy you work, the greater the impact on safety and long-term business resilience.
Why the Hierarchy of Control Matters
Applying the hierarchy properly protects people and improves business performance. It reduces incidents, supports compliance, strengthens reputation and often cuts costs in the long term.
- Construction: Safer site design and fewer working-at-height tasks.
- Manufacturing and Engineering: Better machine guarding and dust extraction.
- Retail: Safer layouts and improved manual handling training.
- Facilities Management: Clear contractor controls and planned maintenance scheduling.
At THSP, we integrate the hierarchy of control into everything we do, from retained health and safety consultancy and training to site inspections and policy development. Our aim is to help every customer move up the hierarchy from reactive measures like PPE to proactive risk elimination and design.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What industries does the hierarchy of control apply to?
Every industry. Whether you run a construction site, a warehouse, a retail store or a commercial office, the principles remain the same: identify the hazard, assess the risk, and apply the highest possible control.
- What if a hazard cannot be eliminated?
If elimination is not practical, the next best step is reduction, then isolation, control, PPE and discipline.
- Can THSP help review our current controls?
Yes. Our consultants can audit your workplace, review your existing risk controls, and recommend improvements using the hierarchy of control model.
- How does this approach improve compliance?
The hierarchy of control supports compliance with UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, ISO 45001 and other safety standards by embedding risk management at every level of your operation.
If you want to improve safety performance, reduce incidents and build a stronger safety culture across your organisation, THSP can help. Our consultants work nationwide to support construction, manufacturing, engineering, retail and facilities management customers with practical, people-first health and safety solutions.
Contact THSP today to book your free consultation and discover how applying the hierarchy of control can help your business protect people, enhance compliance and strengthen reputation.