What type of controls take the form of barriers to guard against a hazard?

The correct choice is physical controls, which are designed to create barriers that protect against hazards. Physical controls can include measures such as safety guards on machinery, barriers around hazardous materials, or even structural enhancements like firewalls in buildings. These measures are tangible and visible, directly reducing the risk by acting as a physical impediment to potential hazards.

For example, in a manufacturing environment, using safety nets and guardrails can prevent accidents or injuries, clearly illustrating how physical controls serve as both barriers and preventative measures. This type of control is essential when risks need to be mitigated by altering the physical environment or when direct human interactions with hazards must be limited.

On the other hand, administrative controls involve procedures and policies that guide how workers interact with hazards, while behavioral controls focus on encouraging or discouraging certain actions through training and awareness. Technical controls typically involve technology or software solutions aimed at mitigating risks but do not physically bar hazards in the same way that physical controls do.