Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

Which agency is primarily responsible for regulating asbestos in the workplace?

1. Environmental Protection Agency

2. Department of Labor

3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration

4. State Environmental Agencies

The correct answer is: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency primarily responsible for regulating asbestos in the workplace. This agency's regulations are designed to ensure safe working conditions by limiting asbestos exposure to workers, setting permissible exposure limits, and establishing guidelines for the proper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing materials. OSHA takes a comprehensive approach to workplace safety, including specific standards that address the identification, monitoring, and mitigation of asbestos risks in various industries. This regulatory framework includes training requirements for workers potentially exposed to asbestos and mandates for a clear communication of hazards associated with this material. While other agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, have significant roles in regulating asbestos in environmental contexts and State Environmental Agencies may enforce local regulations, OSHA’s focus on the workplace specifically establishes its primary responsibility in this area. The Department of Labor is broader in its scope, overseeing various labor policies and issues, but does not directly regulate asbestos safety standards.