What must employers provide to employees who may be exposed to hazardous materials?

Employers must provide training, fit testing, and medical evaluation to employees who may be exposed to hazardous materials to ensure their safety and health. This comprehensive approach is necessary because workers must understand the risks associated with hazardous materials, as well as the proper protocols for handling them. Training equips employees with knowledge about the materials they will encounter, how to protect themselves, and what to do in case of exposure.

Fit testing is essential for ensuring that personal protective equipment (PPE), such as respirators, fits properly, enhancing its effectiveness in protecting the worker. Medical evaluation is critical for monitoring employees’ health and ensuring that they remain fit for duty, particularly when their work involves potential exposure to hazardous substances that could have long-term health effects.

Other choices, such as providing only initial training or focusing solely on health assessments or PPE, do not comprehensively address the necessary protections for employees. This multifaceted requirement is in line with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which emphasize the importance of ongoing education, proper equipment fitting, and health monitoring for workers in hazardous environments.