Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Elimination
Elimination
Elimination
Substitution
Substitution
Substitution
Reduction
Reduction
Reduction
Isolation
Isolation
Isolation
Control
Control
Control
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment
Personal protective equipment
Discipline (personal, signage, etc.)
Discipline (personal, signage, etc.)
Discipline (personal, signage, etc.)
Figure 6.2
The hierarchy of risk control measures
6.3.1 Elimination
The most effective way of managing risk – removing an 
entire process, task or activity eliminates the risk entirely. 
Perhaps changing a process that requires heat via a 
naked fl ame to a cold process may be possible given the 
technological advancement made over recent years. With 
regard to fi re risk management elimination can only effect-
ively be used to manage primary fi re hazards although if 
it can be used effectively it will have an impact on man-
aging the secondary fi re hazards. On many occasions it 
is not possible to stop undertaking a process and thus 
an alternative control measure or selection of control 
measures from within the hierarchy must be considered.
6.3.2 Substitution
The replacement of a high risk hazard, such as a solvent-
based paint, with that of a risk-free or low risk alternative 
such as a water-based paint. A further example would 
be the use of battery powered hand tools as a substitute 
for 220/240 volt electrical tools which possess greater 
fi re risks not to mention slip/trip risks from the cables.
6.3.3 Reduction
Reducing can take a number of forms such as the 
reduction in the numbers of persons exposed to the 

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