In BLS, what does the term 'engineering controls' refer to?

The term 'engineering controls' refers specifically to equipment that is designed to isolate or remove hazards in a workplace or clinical setting. These controls are physical modifications to the environment that help reduce the risk of exposure to hazards, thereby enhancing safety for both patients and healthcare providers. Examples of engineering controls include the use of sharps containers, biohazard waste disposal systems, and ventilation systems that filter air to reduce the risk of airborne pathogens.

While methods of working that change task execution may improve safety, they do not fall under the definition of engineering controls, which focuses on hardware solutions instead of procedural changes. Health habits that minimize infection risk pertain more to personal practices rather than engineering solutions. Lastly, regulatory guidelines for patient handling provide important safety frameworks, but they do not specifically refer to the physical equipment or systems designed to mitigate hazards in the environment.