In occupational health and safety (OHS), identifying and implementing the right control measures is essential to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. A key concept in safety management is the hierarchy of controls—a structured approach to minimizing or eliminating hazards. Among the various types of controls within this framework, administrative controls play a pivotal role in shaping workplace behavior, improving processes, and reducing risks. Training, inspection, and housekeeping are prime examples of administrative controls.
As a Safety Consultant with years of experience working across manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and service sectors, I have seen firsthand how effective administrative controls can significantly reduce incidents. This article explores in detail what type of control, training, inspection, and housekeeping fall under, why they matter, and how to implement them effectively.
The hierarchy of controls is a five-tiered system developed by NIOSH and other health and safety bodies to help organizations prioritize hazard control methods:
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Elimination: Physically remove the hazard
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Substitution: Replace the hazard
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Engineering Controls: Isolate people from the hazard
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Administrative Controls: Change the way people work
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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protect the worker with gear
Each level becomes less effective than the one above it, meaning administrative controls and PPE are typically used when elimination, substitution, or engineering solutions are not feasible.
What Type of Control Would Describe Training, Inspection, and Housekeeping? The direct answer is – Administrative Control
Administrative Controls Explained
Administrative controls are defined as procedural measures implemented to reduce employee exposure to hazards. Unlike engineering controls, which involve physical changes to the workplace, administrative controls focus on behavior, policies, work practices, and training.
Examples of administrative controls include:
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Employee training programs
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Job rotation to minimize exposure
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Safety policies and procedures
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Warning signs and labels
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Scheduled inspections
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Incident reporting protocols
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Housekeeping rules
Where Training, Inspection, and Housekeeping Fit In
Training, inspection, and housekeeping are all prime examples of administrative controls because they:
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Do not remove the hazard, but mitigate risk by changing human behavior.
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Rely on management enforcement and employee compliance.
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Require continuous attention, assessment, and improvement.
Let’s explore each in detail.
Training as an Administrative Control
Purpose of Safety Training
Training equips workers with the knowledge and skills they need to recognize hazards, perform tasks safely, and follow procedures. It’s not just a legal requirement—it’s a vital tool for cultural change and accident prevention.
OSHA, HSE (UK), and other global safety authorities mandate training as part of compliance. Examples include:
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Manual handling training
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Lockout/tagout (LOTO) training
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Chemical safety (WHMIS, COSHH)
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PPE use and maintenance
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Emergency response training
Read Also: What Is Administrative Controls And Its Workplace Application
Types of Training
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Induction Training: For new hires to understand basic workplace rules, hazards, and reporting procedures.
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Task-Specific Training: Focused on equipment, machinery, or high-risk work.
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Refresher Training: Regular updates to reinforce safe behaviors and respond to changes.
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Toolbox Talks: Informal, short discussions focusing on current safety issues or incidents.
Best Practices for Effective Training
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Tailor training to the audience (language, literacy, experience).
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Use a variety of teaching methods—videos, hands-on sessions, and case studies.
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Assess understanding through quizzes or practical evaluations.
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Keep records of all training sessions.
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Involve supervisors to reinforce learning on the job.
Inspections as a Proactive Safety Strategy
Formal vs. Informal Inspections
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Formal Inspections: Scheduled walkthroughs with checklists conducted by safety officers or supervisors.
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Informal Inspections: Day-to-day observations by team leaders or peers.
Both types play critical roles in identifying hazards before they cause harm.
Developing Inspection Checklists
An effective checklist should be tailored to the work environment and include:
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Walkways and access
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Machine guarding
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Electrical safety
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PPE availability and use
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Housekeeping conditions
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Emergency exits and procedures
Role of Supervisors and Employees
Supervisors should model inspection routines, while employees should be empowered to participate. Peer-to-peer inspections or safety committees can enhance accountability and engagement.
Housekeeping and Its Role in Hazard Prevention
Housekeeping refers to the regular maintenance and cleaning of the workplace to ensure a safe and organized environment. It is often overlooked, but poor housekeeping contributes to numerous accidents, including trips, slips, fires, and chemical exposures.
Common Housekeeping Hazards
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Obstructed exits
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Cluttered walkways
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Spilled liquids and uncleaned debris
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Unlabeled containers
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Poorly stored tools or materials
Standards and Policies
Organizations should develop clear housekeeping policies, including:
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Daily cleaning schedules
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Designated waste disposal areas
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Safe storage of materials
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Assigning housekeeping responsibilities
Maintaining Housekeeping Culture
To keep housekeeping practices alive:
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Include housekeeping in job descriptions
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Conduct spot checks
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Recognize good housekeeping efforts
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Make it part of safety talks
Benefits of Administrative Controls
While administrative controls are not as robust as elimination or engineering controls, they provide significant benefits when implemented properly:
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Low cost and flexible
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Promote safety culture and engagement
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Easy to update or modify
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Allow for hazard-specific customization
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Improve compliance and awareness
Limitations of Administrative Controls
However, administrative controls are not without limitations:
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Depend heavily on human behavior and discipline
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Require consistent training and supervision
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Can be forgotten or ignored under pressure
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May lose effectiveness over time without reinforcement
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Not suitable as a standalone measure in high-risk environments
Read Also: What is Risk Control: Importance and Hierarchy of Control
This is why combining administrative controls with engineering and PPE strategies is often necessary.
Integrating Training, Inspection, and Housekeeping into Your Safety Program
To embed these administrative controls into your organizational culture:
Step 1: Conduct a Risk Assessment
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Identify hazards that cannot be eliminated or engineered out.
Step 2: Develop Policies and Procedures
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Document training requirements, inspection frequency, and housekeeping standards.
Step 3: Assign Responsibilities
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Make supervisors accountable for implementation, and employees responsible for compliance.
Step 4: Train and Communicate
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Ensure everyone understands their roles and expectations.
Step 5: Monitor and Improve
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Use incident data, audits, and employee feedback to refine your approach.
Conclusion
Training, inspection, and housekeeping are core components of administrative controls—essential tools in any workplace safety strategy. They serve not only to protect workers but also to promote a proactive safety culture that values awareness, responsibility, and continuous improvement.
As a Safety Consultant, I always advise clients that while administrative controls like these don’t physically remove the hazard, they do shift the balance toward safer behavior and more mindful operations. Implementing them thoroughly and consistently can dramatically reduce accidents, improve compliance, and enhance employee morale.
Read Also: Hierarchy Of Control: 5 Clear Levels of Risk Control
Remember, a clean workspace, a trained employee, and a vigilant inspection protocol may not eliminate risk, but they often prevent tragedy.
If you’re revisiting your safety program or just getting started, make administrative controls the backbone of your hazard management plan. Train well, inspect often, and keep things tidy.