Risk Management Process

Administrative controls involve developing procedures to ensure the work is conducted in a way that minimizes the hazard. Examples include developing or changing policies, implementing or improving training and education, and developing or enhancing work practices and procedures.

Administrative controls are ranked lower than elimination, substitution, and engineering controls because these methods do not necessarily remove or reduce the hazard from the workplace. For example, administrative controls limit workers' exposures by scheduling shorter work times in contaminant areas or by implementing other "rules". These control measures have many limitations because the hazard itself is not actually removed or reduced. Administrative controls should be used in combination with other control measures where possible.