The hierarchy of control is a crucial concept in occupational health and safety that establishes a systematic approach for managing risks in the workplace. It involves prioritizing strategies to eliminate or reduce hazards based on their effectiveness. The correct answer identifies the hierarchy of control as a system for managing safety measures, emphasizing its role in identifying the best methods to minimize risks according to their reliability.
In this framework, controls are categorized in a descending order of effectiveness, typically including elimination of hazards, substitution with less hazardous options, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE). By using this hierarchy, organizations can strategically implement safety measures that are more effective in reducing the risk of harm.
The other options do not accurately represent the essence of the hierarchy of control. While ranking employees or categorizing hazards may have some relevance in the broader context of safety management, they do not capture the structured approach that the hierarchy provides in prioritizing and managing safety measures based on their effectiveness. Additionally, while training new employees is essential for safety, it does not pertain directly to the primary concept of the hierarchy of control as it relates to managing risks and safety measures.