NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls for Public Transport

Woman feeling safe in public transport

In our latest CLEAN Lessons Learned Session – Making Confidence Our Travel Companion: Managing the environment to reduce public transport transmission, we discussed how the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls can be implemented in public transport safety. 

The NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls proposes the following control methods: 

  • Elimination. 
  • Substitution. 
  • Engineering controls. 
  • Administrative controls.
  • PPE. 

Each of these control methods can be applied to public transport safety, and some of them have proven to be more effective than others. 

Regaining confidence in public transport safety, especially after removing mask mandates, has led to widespread uncertainty. Keep reading for more recommendations to reduce airborne disease transmission in public transport using the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls. 

Why is this topic important?

Public transport safety is essential because the transportation sector was particularly hit hard by COVID, especially the public transportation workforce. 

Public transportation ridership in many places is still well below pre-COVID levels. People are working remotely or choosing to go by car rather than go in public transit because of concerns over COVID. 

At the same time, public transit is increasingly seen as an essential tool in reducing carbon emissions to help address climate change by getting people out of personal automobiles and traveling by more efficient means. 

Thus, we believe this topic relates to two key challenges we face, climate change and infectious disease, allowing people to travel safely by finding ways to mitigate infectious disease spread via more earth-friendly transportation methods. 

The NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls & Public Transport Safety 

Hierarchy of Controls

The hierarchy of controls implements effective control measures within an organization, workplace, or community to identify the most effective ways to control exposure to hazards.

Depicted with this inverted pyramid, the more effective controls are at the top, and the less effective controls are at the narrow bottom.

Elimination

When we extrapolate this system to control COVID-19 spread, we see that elimination is the most effective measure. However, in terms of public transport, it is simply not possible. 

People’s first strategy was to stop using public transport. In New York, the transportation system dropped 8% on subways or commuter rail and 23% on buses compared to the pre-COVID period; this is a significant incredible drop in ridership. 

Substitution

The second control is substitution; replacing the hazard with something less hazardous again is not reasonably possible. In this case, in a way, people choosing remote work and distance learning could be viewed as a substitution.

Engineering Controls

Engineering controls must be employed, along with other controls like masks, etc. Implementing engineering controls in the community and using a mitigation strategy is especially challenging in rail cars and buses. It requires redesigning the space and ventilation system to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission sufficiently.

Administrative Control

Administrative control involves changing individual behavior via policy or mandate to minimize risks like social distancing and mask mandates. If you took any New York City transportation modes recently, you would see that both are very difficult to enforce.

PPE

The effectiveness of PPE control measures in transportation systems such as New York City is very limited as it requires the efficient supply and correct and continuous use of the PPE. 

Which one is the best?

It looks like engineering control will be the most practical to implement to ensure public transport safety. However, it does have its limitations. 

Key takeaways: 

  • In our latest CLEAN Lessons Learned Session – Making Confidence Our Travel Companion: Managing the environment to reduce public transport transmission, we discussed how the NIOSH Hierarchy of Controls can be implemented in public transport safety. 
  • Public transport safety is essential because the transportation sector was particularly hit hard by COVID, especially the public transportation workforce. 
  • We believe this topic relates to two key challenges we face, climate change and infectious disease, allowing people to travel safely by finding ways to mitigate infectious disease spread via more earth-friendly transportation methods. 
  • The hierarchy of control system implements effective control measures within an organization, workplace, or community to identify the most effective ways to control exposure to hazards.
  • When we extrapolate this system to control COVID-19 spread, we see that elimination is the most effective measure. However, in terms of public transport, it is simply not possible. 
  • The second control is substitution; replacing the hazard with something less hazardous again is not reasonably possible.
  • Implementing engineering controls in the community and using a mitigation strategy is especially challenging in rail cars and buses.
  • Administrative control involves changing individual behavior via policy or mandate to minimize risks like social distancing and mask mandates.
  • The effectiveness of PPE control measures in transportation systems such as New York City is very limited as it requires the efficient supply and correct and continuous use of the PPE. 
  • It looks like engineering control will be the most practical to implement to ensure public transport safety. However, it does have its limitations. 

Do you want to have access to all IBEC summits and CLEAN Lessons Learned sessions?

Becoming an IBEC member today!

Leave a Comment





Related Blogposts

The CEAT

The CEAT: a powerful tool for infectious disease risk assessment

By | Oct 12, 2022

The CEAT is a powerful tool for infectious disease risk assessment. Keep reading to learn about its development and use. We will never forget March…

Best ways to be safe from COVID-19 in public transport

By | Sep 7, 2022

Since the beginning of the pandemic, industrial hygienists have been researching and broadcasting the information needed to prevent the infection & spread of COVID-19. Under…

paramedic wearing a face mask

How to Protect first responders from the Spread of Covid-19

By | Apr 21, 2022

After the impact of COVID-19 on our society, it has become evident that one of the industries whose workers are most affected is first responders.…

teacher in front of chalkboard with face mask

How to Protect teachers and educators from the Spread of Covid-19

By | Apr 21, 2022

It’s not a surprise that one of our society’s most affected industrial sectors is the education sector. Despite the 2020-21 academic year ending better than…

three construction workers looking at the camera wearing face masks

How to Protect Agriculture Workers from the Spread of Covid-19

By | Apr 21, 2022

The construction industry has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic while being challenged to improve its workforce safety and well-being. Since COVID-19 started, there…

two workers undergoing OSHA covid training to keep covid-19 health and safety protocols

Interview with J. Frederick: COVID-19 and vulnerable workers

By | Apr 21, 2022

Since COVID-19 started, we have been looking for the right resources and standards to navigate our experience in the world safely. All over the world,…

medium-shot-elbow-bumping

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality – An OSTP Discussion on COVID

By | Apr 15, 2022

The Biden-Harris Administration identified improved indoor air quality as an essential tool to fight the spread of airborne diseases in the American Pandemic Preparedness Plan…

COVID Airborne transmission

Why Did It Take So Long To Accept COVID Is Airborne?

By | Jan 17, 2022

This is an extract from our August CLEAN Lessons Learned session “Getting Serious About Airborne Infection Transmission” where Dr. Lidia Morawska gave a presentation about…

Going back to school Covid-19

Top Guidelines To Follow In The COVID-19 Era

By | Jan 17, 2022

This is an extract of our CLEAN Lessons Learned September session: Resilience, Recovery, Return: Getting back to School Confidently and Safely. To have access to…

COVID 19 Crisis Response, Mental Fatigue & Resilience

COVID 19 Crisis Response, Mental Fatigue & Resilience

By | Oct 13, 2021

This is an extract from our October CLEAN Lessons Learned session “Reducing Exposure to COVID-19: The Human Factors” where Dr. Melissa Marot gave a presentation…

IBEC Statement on the Quarantine of Cargo Ship in Argentina Due to Suspected Mpox Case

IBEC Statement on the Quarantine of Cargo Ship in Argentina Due to Suspected Mpox Case

The recent news regarding the quarantine of a cargo ship near Argentina’s Rosario Port due to a…

Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Environmental Science: Pioneering Health Solutions with IBEC’s New CSO

The Integrated Bioscience and Built Environment Consortium (IBEC) proudly introduces its new Chief Scientific Officer (CSO), Stephane…

Text reading “Navigating the Rise of Bacterial Pneumonia: Insights and Precautions” with IBEC’s logo and a picture to the side with a mom holding her sick daughter while she is receiving oxygen through a mask in a hospital bed

Navigating the Rise of Bacterial Pneumonia: Insights and Precautions

Navigating the Rise of Bacterial Pneumonia: Insights and Precautions As winter’s chill sets in, health professionals and…