Replacing reusable equipment with single-use devices during renovation is an example of which type of control?

• A. Substitution
• B. Engineering control
• C. Administrative control
• D. PPE

Answer: (A)

Substitution is about reducing risk by swapping a hazardous option for a less hazardous one. In a renovation, reusing equipment requires cleaning, sterilization, and potential reuse errors that can spread contamination. Replacing reusable items with single-use devices eliminates the need for reprocessing and lowers the chance of cross-contamination, making the hazard configuration inherently safer. This shift is a substitution of a riskier practice (reprocessing reusable equipment) with a safer one (single-use devices).

Engineering controls involve physical changes to the environment to isolate people from hazards, such as barriers or ventilation. Administrative controls are policies, procedures, and training that change how work is performed. PPE provides personal protection but doesn’t change the underlying process. Substitution directly changes the material or process to reduce hazard, which is why it fits best here.