During deliberate planning for an offensive operation, the mission requires crossing a wide river with a swift current. Requesting an Engineer company with a ribbon-bridge is an example of which type of risk control option?

• A. Administrative control
• B. Physical control
• C. Engineering control
• D. Operational control

Answer: (C)

Engineering controls are about reducing risk by changing the physical environment or equipment. In this scenario, using an Engineer company to deploy a ribbon-bridge creates a designed crossing that removes the direct hazard of the swift river current. It provides a safe, engineered solution that limits exposure to the hazard, rather than relying on procedures, barriers, or altered mission planning. Administrative controls would involve policies or training; physical controls would be barriers or PPE; operational controls would change how the mission is executed. The ribbon-bridge is a clear example of engineering the environment to reduce risk.