Worker Protection and Personal Protective Equipment
What this domain tests
The exam tests OSHA asbestos worker-protection requirements: exposure limits, respirator selection, fit testing, medical surveillance, protective clothing, hygiene, and training. Questions often present a "small job" scenario and ask whether a dust mask or no respirator is acceptable.
Core rules and concepts
- OSHA sets a PEL of 0.1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA and an excursion limit of 1.0 f/cc over 30 minutes. Exposure monitoring must be representative of the worker's task and conditions.
- Respirators for asbestos must use HEPA filters. Selection follows the OSHA asbestos standard: half-face air-purifying respirators for lower exposures; full-face, powered air-purifying, or supplied-air respirators for higher exposures. Dust masks, surgical masks, and ordinary N95s are not acceptable asbestos respirators.
- Fit testing is required before use and at least annually; a medical evaluation is required before fit testing and respirator use. Facial hair that interferes with the facepiece seal is prohibited.
- PPE typically includes disposable coveralls with hood, gloves, boots or boot covers, and eye protection. Seal cuffs, HEPA-vacuum contaminated clothing before removal, and do not take contaminated clothing home.
- Decontamination order matters: clean the exterior, remove outer PPE, remove the respirator last in the clean area, then shower and change.
- Medical surveillance is required for covered workers, generally before assignment and annually, and includes chest x-ray, pulmonary function, and work history. Keep records.
- Training must be initial and annual, with hazard communication, safe work practices, and no eating, drinking, or smoking in the work area.
Worked example
A worker will remove 5 ft of pipe insulation inside a glovebag and asks to wear an N95 dust mask because the job is small. Is that acceptable?
Reasoning: no. Removing TSI is Class I work, and asbestos respirators must be HEPA-filtered. An N95 is not a HEPA respirator for this use and does not provide the required assigned protection. The worker needs a medical evaluation, fit test, and at least a half-face HEPA respirator; if exposure monitoring shows higher levels, upgrade the respirator class. The small quantity does not waive protection.
Traps that cost marks
- Accepting an N95 or surgical mask for asbestos work.
- Allowing a beard or stubble that breaks the facepiece seal.
- Fit testing once and never again.
- Removing the respirator before contaminated coveralls.
- Skipping medical surveillance because the job is short.
- Reusing a disposable respirator that is soiled or damaged.