Which control method involves using barriers to isolate contaminants?

The method involving the use of barriers to isolate contaminants is known as engineering control. This approach focuses on implementing physical modifications to the environment or processes to minimize exposure to hazards. Barriers, such as walls, enclosures, ventilation systems, or isolating equipment, serve to create a separation between contaminants and individuals, thereby reducing the risk of contamination or injury.

Engineering controls are particularly effective because they address the hazard at its source rather than relying on individuals to change their behavior or take protective measures. For example, in a laboratory setting, using fume hoods or containment devices to prevent hazardous vapors from escaping into the work area is a prime example of how engineering controls work.

Administrative controls, personal protective equipment, and substitution involve different strategies that do not primarily rely on physical barriers to isolate contaminants. Administrative controls focus on policies and procedures to improve safety, personal protective equipment pertains to gear worn by individuals to safeguard against exposure, and substitution involves replacing a hazardous material with a less hazardous one. While all these methods are important in managing risks, they do not utilize barriers in the same way that engineering controls do.