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Level 1: Elimination

Most Effective Control​

Elimination means completely removing the hazard from the workplace.

If the hazard doesn't exist, the risk doesn't exist.

Always Consider First

Elimination must always be considered first. Even if it seems expensive or difficult initially, elimination often proves most cost-effective over time by preventing incidents entirely.

Why Elimination is Best​

Advantages:

  • 100% effective (no residual risk)
  • Doesn't rely on worker behavior
  • Doesn't require ongoing maintenance
  • Protects everyone, not just those using controls
  • Often cheaper long-term (no PPE, no monitoring, no incidents)

Example: Eliminating work at heights by pre-fabricating at ground level is more reliable than fall arrest harnesses, which depend on correct use, maintenance, and rescue procedures.

When to Consider Elimination​

At Design Stage:

  • Most opportunities for elimination
  • Least expensive to implement
  • Example: Design building with services accessible from ground level, eliminating need for roof access

Before Starting Work:

  • Can the task be done differently?
  • Can the hazardous substance be avoided?
  • Can the dangerous equipment be unnecessary?

When Introducing Changes:

  • New equipment, materials, or processes
  • Opportunity to eliminate existing hazards

After Incidents:

  • Why did hazard exist?
  • Can it be eliminated to prevent recurrence?

Practical Elimination Methods​

Modify the Process​

Remove the step that creates the hazard:

  • Use pre-mixed materials instead of mixing on-site (eliminates dust, manual handling)
  • Use mechanical fastening instead of welding (eliminates fumes, fire risk)

Construction Example: Using pre-cast concrete stairs instead of building on-site eliminates working at heights during formwork and pouring.

Prefabrication and Off-Site Construction​

Work at ground level, lift into position:

  • Assemble wall frames on ground → crane into position
  • Build roof trusses at ground level → crane to roof
  • Prefabricate plumbing/electrical pods → install as complete units

Benefits:

  • Eliminates most work at heights
  • Better quality (controlled environment)
  • Faster on-site installation
  • Safer overall

Construction Example: Prefabricated bathroom pods for multi-storey residential building eliminate plumbing, waterproofing, and tiling work in confined, elevated spaces. Pods craned into position, connected to services.

Design Out Hazards​

During design phase:

  • Design structure without hazardous materials
  • Provide permanent safe access for maintenance (eliminates temporary access risks)
  • Design for easy, safe demolition

Construction Example: Design commercial building with Building Maintenance Unit (permanent façade access system) eliminates need for rope access or external scaffolding for window cleaning and maintenance.

Automation and Mechanization​

Remove workers from hazardous task:

  • Automated material handling (conveyors eliminate manual carrying)
  • Remote operation (operator away from danger zone)
  • Robotics (robot works in hazardous environment)

Construction Example: Automated concrete screeding laser system eliminates workers manually screeding large slabs (reduces repetitive manual handling, wet concrete exposure).

Change the Material​

Use non-hazardous alternative:

  • Specify materials without asbestos, lead, toxic components
  • Use solid materials instead of those that create dust

Construction Example: Specify water-based paints and coatings instead of solvent-based, eliminating volatile organic compound (VOC) exposure and flammability hazards.

Remove the Need​

Question if work is necessary:

  • Can design change eliminate the need?
  • Is there an alternative that avoids the hazard entirely?

Construction Example: Install ducted services in accessible ceiling space instead of buried in slab. Eliminates need to core drill concrete (noise, dust, vibration) for future alterations.

Barriers to Elimination​

"We've Always Done It This Way"​

Challenge assumptions:

  • Just because a method is traditional doesn't mean it's the only way
  • Construction industry has evolved - new methods eliminate old hazards

Example: "We always build formwork in place at heights" → Prefabrication eliminates this hazard

"It's Too Expensive"​

Consider total cost:

  • Incident costs (injuries, delays, workers compensation)
  • Ongoing control costs (PPE, monitoring, training)
  • Productivity gains (often faster, easier)

Example: Prefabricated elements may have higher upfront cost but eliminate fall risks, reduce overall project time, improve quality.

"It's Not Practical"​

Consult with workers and specialists:

  • Those who do the work may know elimination methods
  • Other industries may have solved similar problems
  • Specialist designers can develop elimination solutions

Example: "Can't avoid confined space entry to clean tank" → Redesign tank with large access hatches and spray-in-place cleaning system eliminates entry need.

"Client Won't Allow It"​

Educate client on benefits:

  • Legal duty to eliminate risks (reasonably practicable)
  • Long-term cost savings
  • Reduced liability
  • Better safety outcomes

Designer's duty: Designers must design to eliminate risks. Client cannot override designer's WHS duties.

Reasonably Practicable​

Elimination must be done if reasonably practicable.

Consider:

  • Likelihood and severity of harm: Higher risk requires greater effort to eliminate
  • Availability of elimination methods: Are they known and accessible?
  • Cost vs. risk: Balance cost against risk being addressed

High risks almost always require elimination if technically feasible, regardless of cost.

Example: Eliminating fall risk from 20-meter height by using alternative access method (cherry picker instead of ladder) is reasonably practicable even if more expensive, due to high severity of potential harm.

Practical Construction Examples​

Example 1: Installing Ceiling Insulation (Fall Risk)​

Hazard: Falls through fragile ceiling material.

Elimination Methods:

Option A: Pre-install insulation before ceiling sheets fixed (work from stable floor, not ceiling)

Option B: Use blown-in insulation after ceiling complete (eliminates need to access ceiling cavity)

Result: Fall hazard eliminated entirely.

Example 2: Concrete Cutting (Silica Dust)​

Hazard: Respirable crystalline silica from cutting concrete.

Elimination Methods:

Option A: Order concrete slabs pre-cut to required dimensions (no on-site cutting)

Option B: Use core drilling with water suppression and vacuum extraction... wait, that's minimization, not elimination.

Option A is elimination: No cutting = no dust.

Result: Silica exposure completely eliminated.

Example 3: Working in Confined Space (Multiple Hazards)​

Hazard: Oxygen deficiency, toxic atmosphere, entrapment in tank.

Elimination Methods:

Option A: Redesign tank with large access panels and automated cleaning system (no entry required)

Option B: Remote inspection using cameras and sensors (eliminates entry need)

Result: Confined space entry hazard eliminated.

When Elimination Not Reasonably Practicable​

If elimination not reasonably practicable, must minimize risk using:

Level 2 Controls:

Level 3 Controls:

See Step 3: Control Risks for complete hierarchy.

Summary​

Elimination:

  • Removes hazard completely
  • Most effective control
  • Must be considered first
  • Often most cost-effective long-term
  • Achieved through design, prefabrication, process changes, automation

Key Principle: If you can eliminate the hazard, you eliminate the risk entirely. Always explore elimination before accepting lower-level controls.