True or False: It is permissible to start or continue work if biological materials are present, as long as a reasonable distance is maintained.

The statement is false because working in an area with biological materials typically imposes strict safety protocols and regulations. These protocols are designed to protect workers, the environment, and public health since biological materials can pose significant health risks. A mere reasonable distance is often not sufficient to ensure safety, as there can be uncontrollable factors like splashes, aerosolization, contamination, and other unforeseen exposures that may still occur.

In most settings that deal with biological materials, such as laboratories or healthcare environments, specific safety measures, including appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination procedures, and, in many cases, restricted access to certain areas, are required. Therefore, just maintaining a distance would not be adequate to ensure safety, making it clear why the assertion is false.