Final answer:
Engineering controls to protect workers from hazards include barriers, absorption, and dilution, all of which contribute to reducing exposure to radiation and chemicals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Engineering controls along the path from the hazard to the worker include mechanisms such as barriers, absorption, and dilution. These controls are essential in minimizing the exposure to various hazards, including radiation and chemical substances. Barriers act as a form of protection by physically separating the worker from the hazard.
Absorption refers to processes or materials that can take in radiation or chemicals to reduce their impact, much like the high-density concrete used as a main shield in nuclear reactors. Dilution involves spreading a contaminant over a larger volume to lower its concentration, thereby reducing potential harm to workers.
In the context of radiation protection measures, keeping a minimum possible time in a radiation environment, maintaining distance from the radiation source, and implementing adequate shielding are all examples of engineering controls that can be instituted to protect workers.
Similarly, in the event of chemical exposure, neutralization methods can be used to diminish the potential damage to the environment, acting as a form of absorption and dilution. Furthermore, the design of chemicals and materials to minimize the potential for accidents or to allow for benign breakdown also contributes to workplace safety.