Asbestos Handling and Removal: Health and Safety Regulations

This document outlines the key health and safety regulations concerning asbestos handling and removal, drawing from OSHA and Cal/OSHA standards. It addresses scope, permissible exposure limits, control measures, training, medical surveillance, and competent person requirements to ensure worker safety and regulatory compliance.

Scope and Application

The regulations apply to all construction work involving asbestos exposure, including:

• Demolition or salvage of structures containing asbestos.
• Removal or encapsulation of asbestos-containing materials.
• Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or renovation of structures containing asbestos.
• Installation of products containing asbestos.
• Asbestos spill/emergency cleanup.
• Transportation, disposal, storage, containment, and housekeeping activities involving asbestos or products containing asbestos.
• Excavation that may involve exposure to naturally occurring asbestos.
• Routine facility maintenance.
• Erection, alteration, conversion, and improvement of electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment.

These regulations aim to minimize asbestos exposure in various work scenarios.

Citation:

1926.1101(a) Scope and application. This section regulates asbestos exposure in all work as defined in 29 CFR 1910.12(b), including but not limited to the following: Demolition or salvage of structures where asbestos is present; Removal or encapsulation of materials containing asbestos; Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or renovation of structures, substrates, or portions thereof, that contain asbestos; Installation of products containing asbestos; Asbestos spill/emergency cleanup; and [1]

1926.1101(a)(6) Transportation, disposal, storage, containment of and housekeeping activities involving asbestos or products containing asbestos, on the site or location at which construction activities are performed. [11]

§1529. Asbestos. (a)(1) This section regulates asbestos exposure in all construction work as defined in Section 1502 including but not limited to the following: (A) Demolition or salvage of structures where asbestos is present; (B) Removal or encapsulation of materials containing asbestos; (C) Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or renovation of structures, substrates, or portions thereof, that contain asbestos; (D) Installation of products containing asbestos; (E) Asbestos spill/emergency cleanup; (F) Transportation, disposal, storage, containment of and housekeeping activities involving asbestos or products containing asbestos, on the site or location at which construction activities are performed; (G) Excavation which may involve exposure to asbestos as a natural constituent which is not related to asbestos mining and milling activities; (H) Routine facility maintenance; and (I) Erection of new electric transmission and distribution lines and equipment, and alteration, conversion and improvement of the existing transmission and distribution lines and equipment. [5]

Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs)

The employer must ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an eight (8) hour time-weighted average (TWA). Additionally, no employee shall be exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc) as averaged over a sampling period of thirty (30) minutes.

Citation:

(c) Permissible exposure limits (PELS). (1) Time-weighted average limit (TWA). The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an eight (8) hour time-weighted average (TWA), as determined by the method prescribed in Appendix A to this section, or by an equivalent method. (2) Excursion limit. The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc) as averaged over a sampling period of thirty (30) minutes, as determined by the method prescribed in Appendix A to this section, or by an equivalent method. [4]

Engineering Controls and Work Practices

Employers must use engineering controls and work practices to minimize asbestos exposure, regardless of exposure levels. For Class III asbestos work, engineering and work practice controls must minimize exposure to employees and bystanders.

Citation:

1926.1101(g)(1)-Engineering controls and work practices for all operations covered by this section. The employer shall use engineering controls and work practices in all operations covered by this section, regardless of the levels of exposure. [7]

1926.1101(g)(9)-Work Practices and Engineering Controls for Class III asbestos work. Class III asbestos work shall be conducted using engineering and work practice controls which minimize the exposure to employees performing the asbestos work and to bystander employees. [2]

Respiratory Protection

Employers must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134, covering each employee required to use a respirator.

Citation:

1926.1101(h)(2)(i)-The employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m) [Respiratory Protection], which covers each employee required by this section to use a respirator. [2]

Competent Person

A competent person must supervise all asbestos work within regulated areas. This individual should be capable of identifying asbestos hazards and selecting appropriate control strategies.

Citation:

1926.1101(e)(6)-Competent Persons. The employer shall ensure that all asbestos work performed within regulated areas is supervised by a competent person, as defined in paragraph (b) [Definitions] of this section. The duties of the competent person are set out in paragraph (o) [Competent Person] of this section. [9]

For Class I and II asbestos work, the competent person must be trained in all aspects of asbestos removal and handling, including abatement, installation, and identification. Training should meet EPA's Model Accredited Plan criteria.

Citation:

1926.1101(o)(4)(i)-For Class I and II asbestos work the competent person shall be trained in all aspects of asbestos removal and handling, including: abatement, installation, removal and handling; the contents of this standard; the identification of asbestos; removal procedures, where appropriate; and other practices for reducing the hazard. Such training shall be obtained in a comprehensive course for supervisors that meets the criteria of EPA's Model Accredited Plan (40 CFR part 763, subpart E, Appendix C), such as a course conducted by an EPA-approved or state-approved training provider, certified by EPA or a state, or a course equivalent in stringency, content, and length. [2]

For Class III and IV asbestos work, the competent person should be trained in asbestos handling appropriate for the work's nature, including setting up glove bags and mini-enclosures, reducing exposures, and using wet methods. Training should align with EPA requirements for local education agency maintenance and custodial staff.

Citation:

1926.1101(o)(4)(ii)-For Class III and IV asbestos work, the competent person shall be trained in aspects of asbestos handling appropriate for the nature of the work, to include procedures for setting up glove bags and mini-enclosures, practices for reducing asbestos exposures, use of wet methods, the contents of this standard, and the identification of asbestos. Such training shall include successful completion of a course that is consistent with EPA requirements for training of local education agency maintenance and custodial staff as set forth at 40 CFR 763.92(a)(2), or its equivalent in stringency, content, and length. Competent persons for Class III and IV work, may also be trained pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (o)(4)(i) [Competent Person] of this section. [2]

Exposure Monitoring

Employers must perform exposure monitoring to accurately determine airborne concentrations of asbestos to which employees may be exposed. A competent person must conduct an exposure assessment before or at the initiation of the operation.

Citation:

1926.1101(f)(1)(i)-Each employer who has a workplace or work operation where exposure monitoring is required under this section shall perform monitoring to determine accurately the airborne concentrations of asbestos to which employees may be exposed. [10]

1926.1101(f)(2)(i)-Each employer who has a workplace or work operation covered by this standard shall ensure that a "competent person" conducts an exposure assessment immediately before or at the initiation of the operation to ascertain expected exposures during that operation or workplace. [10]

Daily monitoring is required for Class I and II operations unless a negative exposure assessment has been made. Periodic monitoring is required for all other operations where exposures are expected to exceed a PEL.

Citation:

1926.1101(f)(3)(i)-Class I and II operations. The employer shall conduct daily monitoring that is representative of the exposure of each employee who is assigned to work within a regulated area who is performing Class I or II work, unless the employer pursuant to (f)(2)(iii) [Exposure Assessments and Monitoring] of this section, has made a negative exposure assessment for the entire operation. [10]

Employee Training and Information

Employers must train employees likely to be exposed above a PEL and those performing Class I through IV asbestos operations. Training must be provided before or at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter.

Citation:

1926. 1101(k)(9)(i) The employer shall train each employee who is likely to be exposed in excess of a PEL, and each employee who performs Class | through IV asbestos operations, in accordance with the requirements of this section. Such training shall be conducted at no cost to the employee. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program. [12]

1926. 1101(k)(9)(ii) Training shall be provided prior to or at the time of initial assignment and at least annually thereafter. [12]

Training for Class I and specific Class II operations must be equivalent to the EPA Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos abatement workers training.

Citation:

1926. 1101(k)(9)(iii) Training for Class I operations and for Class II operations that require the use of critical barriers (or equivalent isolation methods) and/or negative pressure enclosures under this section shall be the equivalent in curriculum, training method and length to the EPA Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos abatement workers training (40 CFR Part 763, subpart E, appendix C). [12]

Medical Surveillance

A medical surveillance program is required for employees engaged in Class I, II, and III work for a combined total of 30 or more days per year or exposed at or above the permissible exposure limit. Medical examinations and consultations must be made available to each employee.

Citation:

1926.1101(m)(1)(i)(A)-The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more days per year are engaged in Class I, II and III work or are exposed at or above a permissible exposure limit. For purposes of this paragraph, any day in which a worker engages in Class II or Class III operations or a combination thereof on intact material for one hour or less (taking into account the entire time spent on the removal operation, including cleanup) and, while doing so, adheres fully to the work practices specified in this standard, shall not be counted. [2]

1926.1101(m)(2)(i)-Frequency. The employer shall make available medical examinations and consultations to each employee covered under paragraph (m)(1)(i) [Medical Surveillance] of this section on the following schedules: [9]

Housekeeping

HEPA-filtered vacuuming equipment must be used for vacuuming. Asbestos waste must be collected and disposed of in sealed, labeled, impermeable bags or containers.

Citation:

(l) Housekeeping. (1) Vacuuming. Where vacuuming methods are selected, HEPA filtered vacuuming equipment must be used. The equipment shall be used and emptied in a manner that minimizes the reentry of asbestos into the workplace. (2) Waste disposal. Asbestos waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, equipment, and contaminated clothing consigned for disposal shall be collected and disposed of in sealed, labeled, impermeable bags or other closed, labeled, impermeable containers except in roofing operations, where the procedures specified in subsection (g)(8)(B) of this section apply. [6]

Safety Conference (CAL/OSHA)

Under CAL/OSHA, employers must conduct a safety conference prior to commencing any asbestos-related work subject to registration and notification requirements. This conference should include representatives from various stakeholders to discuss safety programs and methods.

Citation:

$341.11. Safety Conference. The Employer shall conduct a safety conference prior to the commencement of any asbestos-related work subject to the registration and notification requirements of this article. The safety conference shall include representatives of the owner or contracting agency, the contractor, the employer, employees, and employee representatives. The safety conference shall include a discussion of employer's safety program and such means, methods, devices, processes, practices, conditions, or operations as the employer intends to utilize in providing a safe and healthful place of employment. The requirement of this section shall apply to all asbestos-handling jobs regardless of the amount of asbestos to be handled. [3]

Registration Requirements (CAL/OSHA)

Employers engaging in asbestos-related work involving 100 square feet or more of asbestos-containing material must obtain a registration from the Division of Occupational Safety and Health prior to commencement. The registration is valid for one year.

Citation:

(a) An employer who will be engaging in asbestos-related work, as defined, in subsection (b), involving 100 square feet or more of surface area of asbestos-containing material, computed in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, shall apply for and obtain a registration from the division prior to the commencement of any such work. - The registration shall be valid for one year after issuance by the division. [8]

Labeling Requirements

Labels must be affixed to raw materials, mixtures, or containers of asbestos fibers, including protective clothing and equipment, scrap, waste, and debris. The label should include the following information:

• DANGER
• CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS
• AVOID CREATING DUST
• CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD

Labels shall also contain a warning statement against breathing asbestos fibers.

Citation:

1926. .1101(k)(8)(iv)(A) Prior to June 1, 2015, employers may include the following information on raw materials, mixtures or labels of bags or containers of protective clothing and equipment, scrap, waste, and debris containing asbestos fibers in lieu of the labeling requirements in paragraphs (k)(8)(ii) and (k)(8)(iii) of this section: # DANGER CONTAINS ASBESTOS FIBERS AVOID CREATING DUST CANCER AND LUNG DISEASE HAZARD 1926. 1101(k)(8)(iv)(B) Labels shall also contain a warning statement against breathing asbestos fibers. [12]

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