Which of the following is an example of a primary barrier?

Which of the following is an example of a primary barrier?

• A. Airlock
• B. Shower area
• C. Biological safety cabinet
• D. Locker room

Answer: (C)

Primary barriers are the containment that directly sits between the hazard and the worker or the environment during the actual work. A biological safety cabinet fits this role because it creates a sealed, controlled workspace where air is drawn through HEPA filtration and away from the user, trapping any aerosols or splashes at the source. This provides immediate protection during procedures that generate contaminants. The other options are facility features that support containment but don’t provide direct, at-the-source protection during handling. An airlock helps maintain separation between rooms; a shower area is for decontamination on entry or exit, and a locker room is for changing and storing clothing. These are secondary barriers that support biosafety but aren’t the direct containment device used during procedures.

Primary barriers are the containment that directly sits between the hazard and the worker or the environment during the actual work. A biological safety cabinet fits this role because it creates a sealed, controlled workspace where air is drawn through HEPA filtration and away from the user, trapping any aerosols or splashes at the source. This provides immediate protection during procedures that generate contaminants.

The other options are facility features that support containment but don’t provide direct, at-the-source protection during handling. An airlock helps maintain separation between rooms; a shower area is for decontamination on entry or exit, and a locker room is for changing and storing clothing. These are secondary barriers that support biosafety but aren’t the direct containment device used during procedures.