The CDC classifies Occupational Exposure Bands, or OEB, as a systematic process using qualitative or quantitative hazard information on selected health effect endpoints to identify potential inhalation-based exposure ranges or categories for guiding occupational risk assessment and risk management.

OEB levels simplify the identification of controls and PPE used to minimize worker exposure. The band rating is used to set the hazard of the material which then dictates standard safety practices to be followed.