What does inherently safer design emphasize in the treatment of hazardous materials?

Inherently safer design emphasizes the substitution of hazardous materials with less hazardous alternatives as a fundamental principle. This approach is rooted in the idea that the best way to ensure safety is to eliminate or reduce hazards at the source rather than managing the associated risks later through additional controls or safety measures. By choosing materials or processes that pose less risk, the potential for accidents and adverse consequences is significantly reduced. This proactive strategy not only enhances safety but often leads to lower costs and environmental impacts.

While increased storage capacity, monitoring and evaluation techniques, and brand reputation improvement can all play roles in safety management or operational efficiency, they do not directly align with the core principles of inherently safer design. These aspects tend to focus on managing existing risks rather than eliminating them through thoughtful design changes. Therefore, substitution with less hazardous options stands out as the key goal of inherently safer design practices.