Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

What does OSHA recommend as the first line of defense for ensuring worker health and safety?

1. Biocides

2. Engineering controls

3. PPE

4. HEPA filtration

The correct answer is: Engineering controls

The recommendation from OSHA for ensuring worker health and safety emphasizes the use of engineering controls as the primary strategy. Engineering controls involve designing or modifying equipment, processes, or the work environment to minimize exposure to hazards. Examples include proper ventilation systems, isolation of hazards, and the use of barriers to separate workers from harmful substances or processes. By prioritizing engineering controls, organizations not only protect employees but also create a safer workplace by addressing potential risks at the source, thereby reducing the reliance on other protective measures such as personal protective equipment (PPE). While PPE and other methods are essential to safeguard worker health, they should be considered secondary to solutions that reduce or eliminate hazards outright through design alterations. In comparison, biocides and HEPA filtration are specific methods that may be utilized within the framework of achieving a safe work environment, but they do not serve as comprehensive or foundational solutions for health and safety. Biocides target specific biological contaminants, while HEPA filtration is a particular form of air filtration that helps improve indoor air quality. Both are important, yet they do not replace the necessity of fundamental engineering interventions that can inherently reduce hazards in the workplace.