Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

Which element is essential for establishing engineering controls in the workplace?

1. Biological assessments

2. Physical barriers

3. Personal protective equipment

4. Temperature management

The correct answer is: Physical barriers

Establishing engineering controls in the workplace primarily involves the use of physical barriers to help minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. Engineering controls are designed to isolate people from those hazards and can include devices like ventilation systems, safety guards, or other structural modifications that create a safer working environment. While biological assessments, personal protective equipment, and temperature management all play important roles in workplace safety and health, they do not encompass the core principles of engineering controls. Personal protective equipment is used to protect individuals from exposure but does not fundamentally alter the environment, whereas temperature management focuses on maintaining a comfortable or safe temperature rather than controlling hazards directly. Thus, physical barriers are central to the concept of engineering controls, making them the essential element in this context.