Eliminations or Substitution includes which action?

• A. Rotate workers
• B. Apply labels
• C. Substitute safe materials for hazardous ones
• D. Inspect safety equipment

Answer: (C)

The action described belongs to the top tier of the Hierarchy of Controls: eliminating hazards at the source or substituting a safer option for a hazardous one. Substitution specifically means replacing a hazardous material or process with something less dangerous, or removing the hazard altogether by changing how things are done. That’s why substituting safe materials for hazardous ones is the exact fit here—it reduces or removes exposure before workers encounter it.

Rotating workers reduces exposure duration but doesn’t remove the hazard itself, so it’s an administrative control rather than elimination or substitution. Applying labels communicates information about hazards but doesn’t remove or replace the hazard. Inspecting safety equipment ensures controls like PPE are working, but again it doesn’t remove the hazard at the source.

So substituting safe materials for hazardous ones directly lowers risk by changing the hazard itself, which is why that option is the correct choice.