Final answer:
The first step before issuing respirators is a medical evaluation, ensuring employees' health is not at risk by using the respirator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step employers must take before issuing respirators to employees is a medical evaluation. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, employers are required to provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the fit testing and training can take place. This medical assessment ensures that employees will not be harmed by wearing the respirator under the conditions present in the workplace, as well as evaluating their medical ability to perform the work while using respiratory protection.