Which of the following best describes engineering controls in safety management?

Engineering controls in safety management refer to the methods that focus on altering the physical environment to eliminate hazards or significantly reduce the risk of exposure to those hazards. This can involve redesigning processes, implementing safety features, or utilizing equipment that reduces risk. These controls are essential because they minimize the potential for human error and can provide a more reliable form of protection compared to other methods that rely on behavior or training.

For instance, installing ventilation systems to remove harmful air contaminants or using machine guards to prevent accidents are classic examples of engineering controls. By effectively removing hazards or reducing employee exposure to them, engineering controls represent a proactive approach to safety management, emphasizing changes to the workplace itself rather than relying solely on worker behavior or policies.

In contrast, other methods such as safety education, personal protective equipment, and emergency drills fall into different categories of safety management practices. These may support safety but do not address the hazards directly in the way that engineering controls do, which is why the correct choice emphasizes the direct mitigation or elimination of hazards.