Which of the following is a physical control?

• A. Wearing a DOT helmet while riding a motorcycle.
• B. Completing a monthly safety training session.
• C. Developing a new safety policy.
• D. Conducting a safety risk assessment.

Answer: (A)

A physical control is a tangible measure that directly reduces risk in the environment. Wearing a DOT helmet while riding a motorcycle is a physical control because the helmet is protective gear that, when worn, creates a physical barrier to head injury in a crash. The other options involve administrative or process-based measures: a monthly safety training session builds knowledge and influences behavior but does not itself change the physical risk; developing a new safety policy establishes rules but doesn't by itself reduce risk through a physical barrier; conducting a safety risk assessment identifies hazards to guide controls but isn't a control itself. Therefore, wearing the helmet is the correct physical control.