Clarification of Asbestos standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 26, 1996

Mr. Edward M. Monaco, President
Karl R. Rohrer Associates, Inc
3810 Ridgewood Road
Akron, Ohio 44321-1698

Dear Mr. Monaco:

This is in response to your letter dated July 16, 1996, to William Q. Wiehrdt in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Chicago Regional Office requesting clarification of OSHA's Asbestos standard (29 CFR 1926.1101) for the construction industry. You requested that OSHA specify the class of asbestos work (Class I, II, III, or IV) to which the removal of asbestos-containing paint would belong.

HAZWOPER and Asbestos standards apply to any emergency response to an uncontrolled hazardous substance release involving the presence of asbestos.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 26, 1994

Ms. Janet Fox
Director, Industrial Hygiene and Safety Services
Occupational Health Department
Consolidated Edison, Company of New York, Inc.
30 Flatbush Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11217

Dear Ms. Fox:

Thank you for your letter of November 22, 1993 concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) regulation, 29 CFR 1910.120, and Asbestos regulation for construction, [29 CFR 1926.1101]. We apologize for the delay in this reply.

Glove bag methods for control of exposure to airborne asbestos.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 15, 1997

Robert W. Weeks, Jr., Ph.D.
Director, FSI
Field Sciences Institute
2501 Baylor Drive, SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106

Dear Mr. Weeks:

This is in response to your letter of March 28, addressed to the former Director of the Office of Health Compliance Assistance, Ms. Ruth McCully, concerning glove bag methods for control of exposure to airborne asbestos.

Construction Asbestos Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 1, 1997

Todd Hoffman, Vice President
Good, Armstrong and Associates, Ltd.
2142 S. 55th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53219

Dear Mr. Hoffman:

This is in response to your letter of June 12, 1997, to John Miles, regarding the requirements of paragraph (k) of the Construction Asbestos Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1101. Your letter has been forwarded to this office for response.

Asbestos surveying and sampling associated with the remodeling, renovation, and demolition of buildings.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 20, 1997

Mr. William H. George
Industrial Hygiene Manager
Target Environmental Department
33 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

Dear Mr. George:

This is in response to your letter of May 1, as well as to similar letters you have written to several Regional Offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), concerning asbestos surveying and sampling associated with the remodeling, renovation, and demolition of buildings.

Regulation on OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Asbestos.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) requirements for asbestos removal bags.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 17, 1994

Mr. Shashank Patel
Transamerican Plastics
5601 East Santa Ana Street
Ontario, California 91761-8699

Dear Mr. Patel:

Thank you for your letter of July 13, concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) requirements for asbestos removal bags. You have assumed that OSHA requires that six mil thick bags be used for asbestos removal, and you question why OSHA has more stringent requirement than Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Clarification on the use of negative pressure glovebags for the removal of asbestos-containing materials.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 17, 1994

Mr. Daniel Fousek
Woodward-Clyde Consultants
30775 Bainbridge Road, Suite 200
Solon, OH 44139

Dear Mr. Fousek:

This is in response to your letter dated August 12, 1994 to Mr. Rob Medlock, the Area Director in the Cleveland Area Office. You requested clarification on the use of negative pressure glovebags for the removal of asbestos-containing materials (ACM) and you asked if there is a maximum amount that can be removed using glovebags.

Questions concerning OSHA's Asbestos Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

Clarification of Asbestos Standard for construction.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 28, 1996

Anthony P. Buttino
Chopra-Lee Incorporated
1815 Love Road
Grand Island, New York 14072

Dear Mr. Buttino:

Your letter of April 23, was referred to us by our Regional Office in New York, regarding your request for a clarification of section (k)(5)(ii)(B) of the Asbestos Standard for construction and shipyard employment.