Installing containment or isolation barriers are examples of which kind of control?

Installing containment or isolation barriers falls under engineering controls because these measures are designed to physically alter the environment to reduce exposure to hazards. In this instance, the barriers create a physical separation from areas that may be contaminated or hazardous, effectively minimizing the risk of exposure to workers and the surrounding environment.

Engineering controls are often the most effective type of hazard control as they directly address the source of the hazard rather than relying on individual behavior or administrative processes. They include physical modifications, like installing barriers, ventilation systems, or other structural changes that eliminate or reduce a risk.

This approach is distinct from administrative controls, which implement changes in work procedures and policies to reduce risks, and personal protective equipment (PPE), which provides individual protection but does not change the hazard itself. Management controls also focus on organizational policies and training rather than the physical changes to the work environment.