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Exposure Control Priority
The Use of Respirators is the Least Satisfactory Method
Engineering and work practice controls are
generally regarded as the most effective methods to control exposures to airborne
hazardous substances. OSHA considers the use of respirators to be the least
satisfactory approach to exposure control because…
- respirators provide adequate protection only if employers ensure, on a constant basis,
that they are properly fitted and worn.
- respirators protect only the employees who are wearing them from a hazard, rather than
reducing or eliminating the hazard from the workplace as a whole (which is what
engineering and work practice controls do).
- respirators are uncomfortable to wear, cumbersome to use, and interfere with
communication in the workplace, which can often be critical to maintaining safety and
health.
- the costs of operating a functional respiratory protection program are substantial
— including regular medical examinations, fit testing, training, and the purchasing
of equipment.
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