What action should an employer take to support an employee with a latex allergy?

Creating a latex-free environment and providing training on avoidance is the most effective action an employer can take to support an employee with a latex allergy. This approach involves taking proactive measures to eliminate exposure to latex products, such as providing alternative materials like nitrile or vinyl gloves, and ensuring that any equipment and supplies used in the workplace do not contain latex.

Furthermore, offering training on avoidance helps educate all employees about the importance of recognizing latex products and understanding how to contribute to a safe work environment. This can include promoting awareness of cross-contamination and encouraging practices that reduce the risk of exposure for the affected employee. Such comprehensive support is essential because latex allergies can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, making it crucial for employers to prioritize the health and safety of their employees.

The other options do not effectively address the needs of the employee with a latex allergy. For example, encouraging employees to use latex gloves directly contradicts the requirement to support someone with this allergy, while limiting exposure to cleaning supplies does not specifically mitigate latex exposure. Ignoring the allergy dismisses the seriousness of the condition and fails to provide necessary accommodations, which is not acceptable in any workplace setting.