What type of hazard control involves physically modifying the workplace to reduce or isolate airborne hazards?

The correct choice highlights engineering control, which focuses on modifying the physical environment to mitigate exposure to airborne hazards. This type of hazard control is essential because it involves implementing structural changes or installing equipment designed to reduce or eliminate the source of the hazard.

Engineering controls can include things like improving ventilation systems, installing air filtration devices, or even using physical barriers that isolate hazardous dust or fumes from workers. By addressing hazards at their source, engineering controls often provide a more sustainable solution compared to relying solely on procedural changes or personal protective equipment.

In contrast, administrative control involves changes in workplace policies and practices to reduce risk, but does not physically alter the environment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) control focuses on equipping workers with safety gear to protect them from hazards, which still requires the hazard to be present in the environment. Substitution control entails replacing a hazardous material with a less hazardous one, which does not directly involve modifying the existing workplace to limit exposure. Therefore, engineering control is the most effective strategy for directly addressing airborne risks by altering the workplace physically.