Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT a primary function of a decontamination unit?

1. Providing a break area for workers

2. Removing contaminated clothing

3. Cleaning respiratory protective equipment

4. Decontaminating tools and equipment

The correct answer is: Providing a break area for workers

A decontamination unit serves several primary functions, all aimed at minimizing exposure to hazardous materials such as asbestos. The core purposes include removing contaminated clothing, cleaning respiratory protective equipment, and decontaminating tools and equipment. These actions are essential for ensuring that workers do not carry asbestos or other contaminants away from the worksite, which could pose health risks to themselves and others. Providing a break area for workers falls outside the primary functions of a decontamination unit. While a break area is important for worker comfort and is often a requirement in construction or hazardous work environments, it is not related to the decontamination process itself. Instead, a break area primarily serves as a place for workers to rest, relax, and consume food and beverages, thus separating it from the critical functions of contamination control that a decontamination unit is designed to accomplish.