How do engineering controls function in a workplace?

Engineering controls function in a workplace by focusing on altering the physical environment to minimize exposure to hazards. In the context of noise control, these measures involve reducing sound at the source or blocking the sound path before it reaches the worker. This might include implementing soundproofing materials, using quieter machines, or modifying how equipment operates to produce less noise. By addressing the sound directly, engineering controls can effectively lower the risk of hearing loss and create a safer work environment.

Other methods, such as personal protective devices (HPDs), behavior modification, or work scheduling, may also play roles in managing noise exposure, but they do not fundamentally change the environmental conditions in the same way that engineering controls do. Thus, while other choices might contribute to a comprehensive safety strategy, it is the implementation of engineering controls that directly targets and mitigates the source of noise pollution.