PROTECTION MEASURES AGAINST HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS AGENTS IN THE WORKPLACE: EVIDENCE, CONTROLS AND BEST PRACTICES

Workplace exposure to hazardous and dangerous agents—including chemical, biological, physical and ergonomic risks—remains a major contributor to occupational illness, injury and productivity loss worldwide. Effective protection measures depend on a layered approach: engineering controls, administrative/work-practice controls and personal protective equipment (PPE). Meta-analyses and systematic reviews (2019-2025) indicate that engineering and administrative controls significantly reduce exposure compared to reliance on PPE alone.

This review synthesises international evidence, outlines the hierarchical model of control, evaluates PPE selection and limitations, and offers best practice recommendations for multi-national manufacturing and production environments. The goal is to inform safety professionals and industry managers on evidence-based protective strategies that go beyond the worker-only focus.