Which approval agencies are essential for respirators in the asbestos industry?

The involvement of NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is critical when it comes to respirators used in the asbestos industry. NIOSH is responsible for the testing and certification of respiratory protection devices, ensuring they meet specific performance standards to protect workers from airborne contaminants, including asbestos fibers. OSHA, on the other hand, sets and enforces workplace safety and health regulations, including standards for the use of respirators in environments with hazardous materials like asbestos. Together, these agencies create a framework that mandates effective respiratory protection, ensuring worker safety in asbestos-related tasks.

In contrast, other options mention agencies that either do not specifically focus on respirator approval or lack the comprehensive regulatory framework relevant to the asbestos industry. For instance, while MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) oversees respirator use in mining, it does not primarily focus on asbestos. ANSI (American National Standards Institute) provides standards but is not an approval agency itself. ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) deals with environmental control but is not involved in respirator certification. Lastly, while the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulates asbestos at a broader environmental level, it