Clarification of OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry and construction and the respiratory protection standard as applied to medical surveillance of employees.

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 10, 2007

Jim Rafferty, D.O., MPH
Arbor Occupational Medicine
4790 Table Mesa Drive, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80305

Dear Dr. Rafferty:

Acceptability of rounding laboratory-reported percentages of bulk asbestos analyses by point-counting to the nearest whole-number percent.

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 8, 2010

Joshua S. Koch, R.S.
Environmental Abatement Section
Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Dear Mr. Koch:

Clarification of the provision banning smoking in the OSHA asbestos standards.

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.


September 25, 2008

Mr. L. Tom Czehowski
Chief Administrative Officer, Nevada OSHA
Division of Industrial Relations
Nevada Department of Business and Industry
1301 N. Green Valley Pkwy., Suite 200
Henderson, NV 89074

Dear Mr. Czehowski:

Contractor responsibilities for health and safety when removing asbestos-containing materials from private dwellings.

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.


October 16, 2008

Mr. Walter Zemotel
37 West Avenue
Hanover, MA 02339-1847

Dear Mr. Zemotel:

Refresher training requirements for Class III asbestos work and training for excavations disturbing soil with ACM.

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.


July 10, 2008

Mr. Edward Kolodziej
Mr. Brian Williams
ATC Associates, Inc.
73 William Franks Drive
West Springfield, MA 01089

Dear Mr. Kolodziej and Mr. Williams:

Requirements for tapping or tying-in to asbestos containing cement water pipes 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.



May 29, [2007]

Robert J. Prejeant, Esquire
240 Barrow Street
P.O. Box 669
Houma, Louisiana 70361-0669

Dear Mr. Prejeant:

Compliance with 1926.1101 when drilling through asbestos-containing floor tile/mastic.

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.

December 1, 2009

Mr. Dean Jordan
Bearsch Compeau Knudson, Architects & Engineers, PC
41 Chenango St.
Binghamton, NY 13901

Dear Mr. Jordan:

Clarification of the terms street clothing and work clothing as used in the asbestos standard for construction work.

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 17, 2010

Mr. Andrew Munro
CST Environmental, LP
404 North Berry Street
Brea, CA 92821-3104

Dear Mr. Munro:

OSHA's position on the acceptability of digital radiography in place of traditional chest roentgenograms.

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.

September 24, 2012

Michael J. Hodgson, MD, MPH
Office of Public Health and Environmental Hazards
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420

Dear Dr. Hodgson:

Training requirements for class II roofing work.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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.

February 29, 1996

William A. Good, CAE
Executive Vice President
National Roofing Contractors
Association
O'Hare International Center
Suite 600
10255 West Higgins Road
Rosemont, IL 60018-5607

Dear Mr. Good:

Thank you for your letter of August 21, 1995, regarding the training requirements of the competent person for class II roofing work as addressed in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) asbestos standard for the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.1101). We regret the delay in this response.