Clause 8.1.2: Eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks
The organization sets up, runs and keeps processes for removing hazards and lowering OH&S risks by working down the hierarchy of controls: first remove the hazard; next replace it with processes, operations, materials or equipment that are less hazardous; then apply engineering controls and reorganize the work; then apply administrative controls, training included; and finally provide personal protective equipment that is adequate..
What clause 8.1.2 asks
The organization sets up, runs and keeps processes for removing hazards and lowering OH&S risks by working down the hierarchy of controls: first remove the hazard; next replace it with processes, operations, materials or equipment that are less hazardous; then apply engineering controls and reorganize the work; then apply administrative controls, training included; and finally provide personal protective equipment that is adequate.
The hierarchy is an order of preference, not a menu. The clause requires the organization to work down it, with PPE last and adequate.
Draft 8.1.2 Eliminating hazards and reducing OH&S risks, from clause 8.1.2. The public summaries report expanded requirements in 8.1.2, including taking account of the diversity of workers when determining controls and making sure personal protective equipment fits properly.
Evidence for clause 8.1.2
An auditor will ask why an engineering control was not practicable, and will check that PPE issued to each worker actually fits.
- Hierarchy of controlsRisk assessments showing controls selected in hierarchy order with justification
- Hierarchy of controlsEngineering control records (guarding, ventilation, isolation)
- Hierarchy of controlsEvidence elimination and substitution were considered before administrative controls and PPE
Where clause 8.1.2 commonly fails
- Controls default to PPE and training
- No record of why higher-order controls were rejected
- Hierarchy quoted in the procedure but not visible in the assessments
What to do about clause 8.1.2 before the revision
Show the hierarchy decision for the top three risks. Record why elimination and substitution were rejected. Add a PPE fit check by sex, size and religious requirement. Test one administrative control for effectiveness.
What the record shows for clause 8.1.2
An auditor working on clause 8.1.2 will start with Risk assessments showing controls selected in hierarchy order with justification. The failure this record sees most often is Controls default to PPE and training. Both are carried into the kit as row 27, with an owner field and a dated action.
Read across from clause 8.1.2
Read the next clause in the group, or open the full index. The revision map shows the draft structure.
Source for clause 8.1.2: ISO 45001:2018, clause 8.1.2, retrieved 18 October 2026. The draft note rests on the public DIS contents and the two named summaries; the requirement, evidence and gaps are written from the held clause record. Every source.