After working, what should a worker do with their clothes and respirator?

The proper procedure after working with asbestos involves meticulously handling personal protective equipment and clothing to minimize the risk of exposure to harmful fibers. The most appropriate action would be to store items such as clothing and the respirator correctly in a designated area. This ensures that these items are separated from clean areas and prevents the spread of asbestos particles.

Storing respirators and contaminated clothing properly helps maintain compliance with safety protocols and protects other individuals from potential exposure. Additionally, it allows for appropriate decontamination processes to take place, ensuring that no residual asbestos fibers are inadvertently carried elsewhere.

Leaving clothing and the respirator in a dirty room or washing them outside without proper precautions can allow for contamination to spread, and wearing the respirator in the shower would be an ineffective method of decontamination. Each of these alternatives fails to adhere to best safety practices.