Where must workers wear respirators when entering the work area?

Wearing respirators is a critical safety measure for workers handling asbestos. The correct response indicates that workers must wear respirators in the clean room, where decontamination and preparation activities occur before entering or exiting contaminated work areas. The clean room serves as a transitional area, which is crucial for maintaining safety protocols.

In this environment, workers may remove protective gear and need to ensure minimal exposure to airborne asbestos fibers as they prepare to leave the contaminated site. Although some might think that respiratory protection is necessary in other areas like the dirty room, which is typically designated for contaminated work, the clean room should have a high level of control to prevent any fibers from escaping into the general environment. Therefore, the correct handling practices dictate respirator use in the clean room specifically to mitigate any risk during this transitional phase.