Final answer:
The employer is responsible for cleaning, laundering, or disposing of personal protective equipment, as mandated by OSHA regulations to maintain a safe workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is the responsibility of the employer to clean, launder, or dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE). Under the regulations provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers must ensure a safe workplace, which includes providing the necessary PPE and managing its upkeep. Employers are required to provide safety training, keep accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses, and perform tests in the workplace as some of the means to maintain a safe environment. Notably, they must also provide required PPE at no cost to workers.
The maintenance and cleanliness of PPE are crucial in controlling and reducing workplace hazards. While protocols for sterilizing medical equipment may be set by agencies like the FDA or organizations such as the AOAC, the employer and their end-users, like hospitals, are responsible for the proper cleaning and maintenance of such equipment.