a mechanical engineer introduced me to the (HoC), an important concept in workplace safety. 1

The hierarchy of controls

To protect people from hazards, system designers should seek to use the most effective controls available. This means elimination over substitution, substitution over engineering controls, etc.

FROM:

Hillel Wayne

Hierarchy of Controls

Source

The Hierarchy of Controls: -Elimination (remove the hazard)

• Substitution (replace the hazard)
• Engineering Controls (isolate people from the hazard)
• Administrative Controls (change the way people work around the hazard)
• PPE (protect people from the hazard with personal protective equipment)

I see these as kinda the inverse of the hierarchy of building habits.