What are the four basic methods of controlling breathing hazards?

The four basic methods of controlling breathing hazards are properly categorized as engineering controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), substitution, and administrative controls.

Engineering controls focus on modifying equipment and processes to eliminate or reduce exposure to airborne contaminants. This might include using ventilation systems or isolation methods to keep harmful substances away from workers.

PPE refers to the use of masks, respirators, or other protective gear designed specifically to safeguard the respiratory system from hazardous air.

Substitution involves replacing a hazardous substance with a less dangerous one, thereby decreasing the risk for workers.

Administrative controls include policies, procedures, and practices that can be implemented to minimize exposure, such as training, scheduling work to limit exposure time, or establishing work practices to reduce risks.

Each of these methods plays a critical role in comprehensive hazard management and collectively aims to protect workers' health and safety in construction environments. The other choices contain elements that may not fully align with the standard methods recognized for controlling breathing hazards, mixing in irrelevant measures that don't pertain specifically to respiratory protection.