Controlling the health and safety risks in a workplace is necessary to prevent injury and illness. First, identify and assess the risks, then decide on the best way to control them by applying the Hierarchy of Controls as follows:

1. Elimination - eliminate any risk to health or safety associated with construction work
2. Substitution - replaced with a new activity, procedure, plant, process or substance
3. Engineering - isolating persons from the hazard, such as barricading, fencing or guard railing
4. Administration - use administrative controls, such as changing the way the work is done
5. Personal Protective Equipment - provide appropriate personal protective equipment

When deciding on the best way to control a risk, start at the top of the Hierarchy of Controls, i.e investigate if the risks can be eliminated first, for example by changing the way the work is done, or by substituting with safer substances or equipment. This is the most effective way to control a hazard. If these methods are not possible, use engineering or administrative controls to reduce or minimise the risk.