Which of the following is the highest level in the hierarchy of risk controls?

In the hierarchy of risk controls, inherent safety represents the highest level because it focuses on eliminating hazards at the design stage, rather than managing them once they are already present. This proactive approach means that safety is built into the processes and systems, reducing or preventing risks before they can cause harm.

Inherent safety often involves redesigning processes to use less hazardous materials or to simplify processes, thereby minimizing potential risks. This principle is foundational in process safety management, as it shifts the focus from responding to accidents or failures after they occur to fundamentally changing how processes and systems are designed.

The other options—engineering controls, substitution, and administrative controls—are all important elements of risk management but are considered lower in the hierarchy. Engineering controls focus on managing risks through physical modifications or devices, substitution involves replacing hazardous substances or processes with safer alternatives, and administrative controls relate to management policies and training. While these controls are essential for enhancing safety, they do not eliminate hazards to the same degree as inherent safety does.