Control banding

Control banding is a qualitative risk assessment and management approach to promoting occupational health and safety. It is intended to minimize worker exposures to hazardous chemical in the workplace.

A single control technology or strategy is matched with a single band, or range of exposures (e.g. 1-10 milligrams per cubic meter) for a particular class of chemicals (e.g. skin irritants, reproductive hazards).

Here is an example of four control bands developed for inhalation hazards.

In the United Kingdom, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has developed a comprehensive control banding model called COSHH Essentials (COSHH stands for control of substances hazardous to health.)

=External links= NIOSH Safety and Health Topic: Control Banding

COSHH Essentials