Which item is NOT considered an administrative control for laser safety?

• A. SOPs
• B. Training
• C. Access limits
• D. Engineering controls

Answer: (D)

In laser safety, controls fall into two main categories: administrative controls and engineering controls. Administrative controls are policies, procedures, and human-factor measures that influence how people work—things like standard operating procedures, training, and access limits that govern behavior and who can enter a area. Engineering controls are physical safeguards built into the equipment or environment to reduce exposure at the source, such as beam enclosures, interlocks, beam dumps, and local exhaust ventilation.

The item that is not an administrative control is the engineering controls. These are physical modifications rather than policy-based measures, and they reduce the hazard directly, independent of how people act. SOPs, training, and access restrictions are administrative controls because they rely on people following rules and procedures.