Final answer:
Protective items such as masks, eye protection, and face shields are essential in environments where there is a risk of exposure to hazardous materials, infectious diseases, or when air quality is poor, especially for individuals with pre-existing health conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Masks, eye protection, and face shields should be worn when personnel are potentially exposed to hazardous materials, conditions, or infectious diseases that could cause harm through inhalation or contact with the facial area. For medical personnel, this includes entering an infection zone where personal protective clothing is essential for safety. In laboratories, the use of gloves, safety glasses, or goggles, and sometimes safety aprons, is recommended when working with cultures or hazardous materials to prevent accidents or contamination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of masks became widely mandated to prevent the spread of the virus. Besides healthcare and laboratory environments, these protective items are also important in areas with poor air quality to reduce the inhalation of pollutants, especially for those with heart or lung conditions.