What is the primary reason for conducting personal air monitoring among workers?

The primary reason for conducting personal air monitoring among workers is to ensure that they are not exposed to asbestos levels above the permissible exposure limit (PEL), which is critical for their health and safety. This monitoring involves measuring the concentration of asbestos fibers in the air that workers breathe during their tasks. By assessing exposure levels, employers can identify whether they are compliant with health regulations designed to protect workers from the harmful effects of asbestos, which can lead to serious health conditions such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

Monitoring helps in implementing necessary safety measures, such as engineering controls or personal protective equipment, if exposure levels approach or exceed the established threshold. The focus is on maintaining a safe work environment and minimizing health risks, which is essential for protecting workers’ long-term well-being.

In contrast to this, assessing worker productivity, evaluating equipment efficiency, or measuring ambient temperature, while potentially important for overall operational effectiveness, do not directly relate to the primary health and safety concerns tied specifically to asbestos exposure in the workplace.