During the removal of friable asbestos materials, workers must be equipped with what type of respiratory protection?

When working with friable asbestos materials, which can release harmful asbestos fibers into the air when disturbed, respiratory protection is critical to ensure the safety of workers. The correct choice involves a Type "C" respirator operated in pressure demand mode, with HEPA or SCBA backup.

A Type "C" respirator provides adequate protection against airborne contaminants, especially when it is used in pressure demand mode, which ensures that the respirator maintains a positive pressure within the facepiece, effectively reducing the risk of inhalation of dangerous fibers. The use of HEPA filters or SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) as backup further enhances the level of protection, ensuring that even in emergencies or unforeseen circumstances, workers have reliable breathing air.

This level of protection is necessary given the hazardous nature of friable asbestos, which can easily become airborne. Other types of respiratory protection, like those mentioned in the incorrect choices, do not provide the same level of safety required for asbestos removal. For instance, Type "B" without backup may not adequately protect against the risk of high asbestos exposure, and Type "D" respirators generally lack the necessary filtration and overall efficiency to ensure safety in such environments. Thus, using a Type "C" respirator in