Under which circumstance must employers provide and require employees to wear approved respiratory equipment?

Employers are obligated to provide and require employees to wear approved respiratory equipment in situations where fumigant concentrations cannot be controlled. This requirement is rooted in safety regulations, which aim to protect workers' health when they are potentially exposed to hazardous substances.

In scenarios where fumigant levels exceed safe exposure limits due to factors such as poor ventilation or high application rates, respiratory equipment is necessary to mitigate inhalation risks. This protective measure is essential because uncontrolled concentrations of fumigants can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory distress, and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.

While working in an enclosed area may raise concerns about air quality, simply being in such an environment does not automatically necessitate respiratory protection unless the concentration of harmful substances is unmanageable. Similarly, routine pesticide application might not always require respiratory equipment if appropriate safety protocols and exposure controls are in place. Lastly, requiring the use of respiratory protection only when requested by the employee does not fulfill the employer's responsibility to ensure a safe working environment, demonstrating that proactive measures are essential rather than reactive.