Asbestos methods of compliance study guide
29 CFR 1926.1101(g) sets the methods of compliance in OSHA's asbestos standard for construction. This guide sets out what the federal rule text states on the engineering controls and work practices required in all covered operations, the prohibited practices, the requirements and control methods for Class I work and the conditions for alternative Class I methods, Class II work and its practices for specific materials, Class III and Class IV work, and the alternative method for certain intact roofing and pipeline coating materials. Long lists and specifications are summarized, not reproduced. goraedu is not an accredited training provider, and this is not a course or accreditation exam. Your State may run its own OSHA-approved plan with its own rules, so check them too. Every point links to the regulation and quotes its exact words.
Controls for all operations
Under 1926.1101(g)(1), the employer must use the listed engineering controls and work practices in all operations covered by the section, regardless of the levels of exposure.
“The employer shall use the following engineering controls and work practices in all operations covered by this section, regardless of the levels of exposure:”
One of those controls is vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters to collect all debris and dust containing ACM and PACM, except as paragraph (g)(8)(ii) provides for roofing material.
“Vacuum cleaners equipped with HEPA filters to collect all debris and dust containing ACM and PACM, except as provided in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) of this section in the case of roofing material.”
Another is wet methods, or wetting agents, to control employee exposures during the listed asbestos activities, except where employers demonstrate that wet methods are infeasible (the rule's examples are electrical hazards and equipment malfunction), and, in roofing, except as paragraph (g)(8)(ii) provides.
“Wet methods, or wetting agents, to control employee exposures during asbestos handling, mixing, removal, cutting, application, and cleanup, except where employers demonstrate that the use of wet methods is infeasible due to for example, the creation of electrical hazards, equipment malfunction, and, in roofing, except as provided in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) of this section”
The third is prompt clean-up and disposal of wastes and debris contaminated with asbestos in leak-tight containers, except in roofing operations, where the procedures in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) apply.
“Prompt clean-up and disposal of wastes and debris contaminated with asbestos in leak-tight containers except in roofing operations, where the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) of this section apply.”
In addition to (g)(1), paragraph (g)(2) lists control methods the employer must use to achieve compliance with the TWA permissible exposure limit and the excursion limit in paragraph (c).
“In addition to the requirements of paragraph (g)(1) of this section, the employer shall use the following control methods to achieve compliance with the TWA permissible exposure limit and excursion limit prescribed by paragraph (c) of this section”
Wherever the feasible controls are not sufficient to reduce exposure to or below the PEL and/or excursion limit, the employer must still use them to reduce exposure to the lowest levels attainable and supplement them with respiratory protection that complies with paragraph (h).
“Wherever the feasible engineering and work practice controls described above are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit and/or excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section, the employer shall use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest levels attainable by these controls and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (h) of this section.”
Not covered here
The list of (g)(2) control methods is not reproduced here. Respirator selection and use under paragraph (h) is not covered in this set. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Prohibited practices
Paragraph (g)(3) lists work practices and engineering controls that must not be used for work related to asbestos or work that disturbs ACM or PACM, regardless of measured exposure levels or the results of initial exposure assessments.
“The following work practices and engineering controls shall not be used for work related to asbestos or for work which disturbs ACM or PACM, regardless of measured levels of asbestos exposure or the results of initial exposure assessments:”
High-speed abrasive disc saws are on that list when they are not equipped with a point of cut ventilator or enclosures with HEPA filtered exhaust air.
“High-speed abrasive disc saws that are not equipped with point of cut ventilator or enclosures with HEPA filtered exhaust air.”
Compressed air used to remove asbestos or asbestos-containing materials is on the list, unless it is used with an enclosed ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud it creates.
“Compressed air used to remove asbestos, or materials containing asbestos, unless the compressed air is used in conjunction with an enclosed ventilation system designed to capture the dust cloud created by the compressed air.”
Dry sweeping, shoveling or other dry clean-up of dust and debris containing ACM and PACM is on the list.
“Dry sweeping, shoveling or other dry clean-up of dust and debris containing ACM and PACM.”
Employee rotation as a means of reducing employee exposure to asbestos is also on the list.
“Employee rotation as a means of reducing employee exposure to asbestos.”
Not covered here
Each of the four prohibited items in (g)(3) is given as its own point above; follow the source link for the paragraph in full. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Class I requirements
All Class I work, including the installation and operation of the control system, must be supervised by a competent person as defined in paragraph (b).
“All Class I work, including the installation and operation of the control system shall be supervised by a competent person as defined in paragraph (b) of this section”
For Class I jobs removing more than 25 linear or 10 square feet of thermal system insulation or surfacing material, and for other Class I jobs where the employer cannot produce a negative exposure assessment or where employees work in areas adjacent to the regulated area, the employer must use one of the options in (g)(4)(ii), while the Class I work is being performed, to keep airborne asbestos from migrating out of the regulated area.
“For all Class I jobs involving the removal of more than 25 linear or 10 square feet of thermal system insulation or surfacing material; for all other Class I jobs, where the employer cannot produce a negative exposure assessment pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section, or where employees are working in areas adjacent to the regulated area, while the Class I work is being performed, the employer shall use one of the following methods to ensure that airborne asbestos does not migrate from the regulated area:”
One option is critical barriers over all the openings to the regulated area, except where activities are performed outdoors.
“Critical barriers shall be placed over all the openings to the regulated area, except where activities are performed outdoors; or”
The other option is another barrier or isolation method that prevents migration, verified by perimeter area surveillance during each work shift at each boundary of the regulated area showing no visible asbestos dust, and by perimeter area monitoring showing either that the clearance levels in 40 CFR part 763, subpart E, of the EPA Asbestos in Schools Rule are met, or that perimeter area levels measured by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) are no more than background levels for the same area before the asbestos work began.
“The employer shall use another barrier or isolation method which prevents the migration of airborne asbestos from the regulated area, as verified by perimeter area surveillance during each work shift at each boundary of the regulated area, showing no visible asbestos dust; and perimeter area monitoring showing that clearance levels contained in 40 CFR part 763, subpt. E, of the EPA Asbestos in Schools Rule are met, or that perimeter area levels, measured by Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) are no more than background levels representing the same area before the asbestos work began.”
The results of that monitoring must be made known to the employer no later than 24 hours from the end of the work shift the monitoring represents.
“The results of such monitoring shall be made known to the employer no later than 24 hours from the end of the work shift represented by such monitoring.”
Exception: for work completed outdoors where employees are not working in areas adjacent to the regulated areas, (g)(4)(ii) is satisfied when the specific control methods in (g)(5) are used.
“Exception: For work completed outdoors where employees are not working in areas adjacent to the regulated areas, this paragraph (g)(4)(ii) is satisfied when the specific control methods in paragraph (g)(5) of this section are used.”
For all Class I jobs, HVAC systems must be isolated in the regulated area by sealing with a double layer of 6 mil plastic or the equivalent.
“For all Class I jobs, HVAC systems shall be isolated in the regulated area by sealing with a double layer of 6 mil plastic or the equivalent”
For Class I jobs where the employer cannot produce a negative exposure assessment, or where exposure monitoring shows a PEL is exceeded, the employer must ventilate the regulated area to move contaminated air away from employees' breathing zone toward a HEPA filtration or collection device.
“For all Class I jobs where the employer cannot produce a negative exposure assessment, or where exposure monitoring shows that a PEL is exceeded, the employer shall ventilate the regulated area to move contaminated air away from the breathing zone of employees toward a HEPA filtration or collection device.”
Not covered here
The rest of the (g)(4) list (dropcloths and covering objects) is not reproduced here; follow the source link for it. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Class I control methods
Class I asbestos work must be performed using one or more of the control methods in (g)(5), under the limitations stated for each.
“Class I asbestos work shall be performed using one or more of the following control methods pursuant to the limitations stated below:”
Negative pressure enclosure (NPE) systems may be used where the configuration of the work area does not make erecting the enclosure infeasible.
“NPE systems may be used where the configuration of the work area does not make the erection of the enclosure infeasible”
Before work begins within the enclosure and at the beginning of each shift, the NPE must be inspected for breaches and smoke-tested for leaks, and any leaks sealed.
“Before beginning work within the enclosure and at the beginning of each shift, the NPE shall be inspected for breaches and smoke-tested for leaks, and any leaks sealed.”
A water spray process system may be used to remove ACM and PACM from cold line piping if the employees carrying it out have completed a 40-hour separate training course in its use, in addition to the training required for Class I work.
“A water spray process system may be used for removal of ACM and PACM from cold line piping if, employees carrying out such process have completed a 40-hour separate training course in its use, in addition to training required for employees performing Class I work.”
A mini-enclosure, a small walk-in enclosure that accommodates no more than two persons, may be used if the disturbance or removal can be completely contained by the enclosure.
“A small walk-in enclosure which accommodates no more than two persons (mini-enclosure) may be used if the disturbance or removal can be completely contained by the enclosure”
Under (g)(6), Class I work may use a control method not referenced in (g)(5), or one that modifies a (g)(5) method, if the provisions of (g)(6) are complied with.
“Class I work may be performed using a control method which is not referenced in paragraph (g)(5) of this section, or which modifies a control method referenced in paragraph (g)(5)of this section, if the following provisions are complied with:”
A certified industrial hygienist or licensed professional engineer who is also qualified as a project designer must evaluate the work area, practices and controls and certify in writing that the planned method is adequate to reduce direct and indirect employee exposure to below the PELs under worst-case conditions of use, and that it will prevent asbestos contamination outside the regulated area, as measured either by clearance sampling that meets EPA's Asbestos in Schools rule issued under AHERA or by perimeter monitoring that meets the criteria in (g)(4)(ii)(B).
“A certified industrial hygienist or licensed professional engineer who is also qualified as a project designer as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, shall evaluate the work area, the projected work practices and the engineering controls and shall certify in writing that the planned control method is adequate to reduce direct and indirect employee exposure to below the PELs under worst-case conditions of use, and that the planned control method will prevent asbestos contamination outside the regulated area, as measured by clearance sampling which meets the requirements of EPA's Asbestos in Schools rule issued under AHERA, or perimeter monitoring which meets the criteria in paragraph (g)(4)(ii)(B) of this section.”
Where the TSI or surfacing material to be removed is 25 linear or 10 square feet or less, that evaluation may be performed by a competent person and may omit consideration of perimeter or clearance monitoring otherwise required.
“Where the TSI or surfacing material to be removed is 25 linear or 10 square feet or less , the evaluation required in paragraph (g)(6) of this section may be performed by a “competent person”, and may omit consideration of perimeter or clearance monitoring otherwise required.”
Not covered here
The specifications and work practices for each (g)(5) method, including glove bag and glove box systems, are not reproduced here; read paragraph (g)(5) in full. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Class II requirements
All Class II work must be supervised by a competent person as defined in paragraph (b).
“All Class II work shall be supervised by a competent person as defined in paragraph (b) of this section.”
For indoor Class II jobs where the employer has not produced a negative exposure assessment, where changed conditions during the job indicate there may be exposure above the PEL, or where the employer does not remove the ACM in a substantially intact state, the employer must use one of the options in (g)(7)(ii) to keep airborne asbestos from migrating out of the regulated area.
“For all indoor Class II jobs, where the employer has not produced a negative exposure assessment pursuant to paragraph (f)(2)(iii) of this section, or where during the job, changed conditions indicate there may be exposure above the PEL or where the employer does not remove the ACM in a substantially intact state, the employer shall use one of the following methods to ensure that airborne asbestos does not migrate from the regulated area”
All Class II work must be performed using the work practices and requirements in (g)(1)(i) through (g)(1)(iii).
“All Class II asbestos work shall be performed using the work practices and requirements set out above in paragraph (g)(1) (i) through (g)(1)(iii) of this section.”
Class II work may also use a method allowed for Class I work, except that glove bags and glove boxes are allowed if they fully enclose the Class II material to be removed.
“Class II work also may be performed using a method allowed for Class I work, except that glove bags and glove boxes are allowed if they fully enclose the Class II material to be removed.”
Instead of the practices in (g)(8)(i) through (v), the employer may use different or modified controls if the provisions of (g)(8)(vi) are complied with.
“Instead of the work practices and controls listed in paragraph (g)(8) (i) through (v) of this section, the employer may use different or modified engineering and work practice controls if the following provisions are complied with.”
For those alternative controls, a competent person must evaluate the work area, practices and controls and certify in writing that they are adequate to reduce direct and indirect employee exposure to below the PELs under all expected conditions of use and that the method meets the requirements of the standard.
“A competent person shall evaluate the work area, the projected work practices and the engineering controls, and shall certify in writing, that the different or modified controls are adequate to reduce direct and indirect employee exposure to below the PELs under all expected conditions of use and that the method meets the requirements of this standard.”
Not covered here
For alternative Class II controls, the employer's demonstration by exposure data ((g)(8)(vi)(A)) and the data the competent person's evaluation must be based on ((g)(8)(vi)(B)) are in the rule text, as are the barrier options in (g)(7)(ii). We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Class II material practices
When removing vinyl and asphalt flooring covered by (g)(8)(i), flooring or its backing must not be sanded.
“Flooring or its backing shall not be sanded.”
Resilient sheeting must be removed by cutting with wetting of the snip point and wetting during delamination; rip-up of resilient sheet floor material is prohibited.
“Resilient sheeting shall be removed by cutting with wetting of the snip point and wetting during delamination. Rip-up of resilient sheet floor material is prohibited.”
Resilient flooring material, including associated mastic and backing, must be assumed to be asbestos-containing unless an industrial hygienist determines it is asbestos-free using recognized analytical techniques.
“Resilient flooring material including associated mastic and backing shall be assumed to be asbestos-containing unless an industrial hygienist determines that it is asbestos-free using recognized analytical techniques.”
When removing roofing material that contains ACM, the material must be removed in an intact state to the extent feasible.
“Roofing material shall be removed in an intact state to the extent feasible.”
When removing roofing material that contains ACM, cutting machines must be continuously misted during use, unless a competent person determines that misting substantially decreases worker safety.
“Cutting machines shall be continuously misted during use, unless a competent person determines that misting substantially decreases worker safety.”
Roofing ACM that is not intact must be lowered to the ground as soon as practicable and in any event no later than the end of the work shift; while it remains on the roof it must either be kept wet, placed in an impermeable waste bag, or wrapped in plastic sheeting.
“Any ACM that is not intact shall be lowered to the ground as soon as is practicable, but in any event no later than the end of the work shift. While the material remains on the roof it shall either be kept wet, placed in an impermeable waste bag, or wrapped in plastic sheeting.”
Removal or repair of sections of intact roofing less than 25 square feet does not require wet methods or HEPA vacuuming as long as manual methods that keep the material intact are used and no visible dust is created; all removal and repair work on the same roof on the same day counts toward the 25 square feet.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, removal or repair of sections of intact roofing less than 25 square feet in area does not require use of wet methods or HEPA vacuuming as long as manual methods which do not render the material non-intact are used to remove the material and no visible dust is created by the removal method used. In determining whether a job involves less than 25 square feet, the employer shall include all removal and repair work performed on the same roof on the same day.”
When removing cementitious siding, shingles or transite panels containing ACM on building exteriors, cutting, abrading or breaking them is prohibited unless the employer can demonstrate that methods less likely to result in asbestos fiber release cannot be used.
“Cutting, abrading or breaking siding, shingles, or transite panels, shall be prohibited unless the employer can demonstrate that methods less likely to result in asbestos fiber release cannot be used.”
When removing gaskets containing ACM, a gasket that is visibly deteriorated and unlikely to be removed intact must be removed within a glovebag as described in (g)(5)(ii).
“If a gasket is visibly deteriorated and unlikely to be removed intact, removal shall be undertaken within a glovebag as described in paragraph (g)(5)(ii) of this section.”
Not covered here
Each material's full list of practices, and the practices for other Class II removal in (g)(8)(v), are not reproduced here; read paragraph (g)(8) in full. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Class III and Class IV work
Class III work must be conducted using engineering and work practice controls that minimize exposure to the employees performing the work and to bystander employees.
“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.”
Class III work must be performed using wet methods.
“The work shall be performed using wet methods.”
To the extent feasible, Class III work must be performed using local exhaust ventilation.
“To the extent feasible, the work shall be performed using local exhaust ventilation.”
Where a Class III disturbance involves drilling, cutting, abrading, sanding, chipping, breaking or sawing of TSI or surfacing material, the employer must use impermeable dropcloths and isolate the operation using mini-enclosures or glove bag systems under (g)(5) or another isolation method.
“Where the disturbance involves drilling, cutting, abrading, sanding, chipping, breaking, or sawing of thermal system insulation or surfacing material, the employer shall use impermeable dropcloths, and shall isolate the operation using mini-enclosures or glove bag systems pursuant to paragraph (g)(5) of this section or another isolation method.”
Where the employer does not produce a negative exposure assessment for a Class III job, or where monitoring results show the PEL has been exceeded, the employer must either contain the area using impermeable dropcloths and plastic barriers or their equivalent, or isolate the operation using a control system listed in and in compliance with (g)(5).
“Where the employer does not produce a “negative exposure assessment” for a job, or where monitoring results show the PEL has been exceeded, the employer shall contain the area using impermeable dropcloths and plastic barriers or their equivalent, or shall isolate the operation using a control system listed in and in compliance with paragraph (g)(5) of this section.”
Employees on Class III jobs that disturb TSI or surfacing material, or where the employer does not produce a negative exposure assessment, or where monitoring shows a PEL has been exceeded, must wear respirators selected, used and fitted under paragraph (h).
“Employees performing Class III jobs, which involve the disturbance of thermal system insulation or surfacing material, or where the employer does not produce a “negative exposure assessment” or where monitoring results show a PEL has been exceeded, shall wear respirators which are selected, used and fitted pursuant to provisions of paragraph (h) of this section.”
Class IV jobs must be conducted by employees trained under the asbestos awareness training program in paragraph (k)(9), and must also conform to paragraph (g)(1), which the rule describes as mandating wet methods, HEPA vacuums and prompt clean up of debris containing ACM or PACM.
“Class IV asbestos jobs shall be conducted by employees trained pursuant to the asbestos awareness training program set out in paragraph (k)(9) of this section. In addition, all Class IV jobs shall be conducted in conformity with the requirements set out in paragraph (g)(1) of this section, mandating wet methods, HEPA vacuums, and prompt clean up of debris containing ACM or PACM.”
Employers of employees who clean up waste and debris in, and employers in control of, areas where friable TSI or surfacing material is accessible must assume that the waste and debris contain asbestos.
“Employers of employees who clean up waste and debris in, and employers in control of, areas where friable thermal system insulation or surfacing material is accessible, shall assume that such waste and debris contain asbestos.”
Not covered here
The asbestos awareness training program in paragraph (k)(9) and respirator requirements in paragraph (h) are not covered in this set. The respirator duty for employees cleaning up debris and waste in regulated areas where respirators are required ((g)(10)(i)) is in the rule text. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Roofing and pipeline coating alternative
An employer who complies with all of (g)(11) when installing, removing, repairing or maintaining intact pipeline asphaltic wrap, or roof flashings containing asbestos fibers encapsulated or coated by bituminous or resinous compounds, is deemed to be in compliance with the section; if the employer does not comply with all of (g)(11), or if the material does not remain intact during the job, paragraph (g)(8) applies instead.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an employer who complies with all provisions of this paragraph (g)(11) when installing, removing, repairing, or maintaining intact pipeline asphaltic wrap, or roof flashings which contain asbestos fibers encapsulated or coated by bituminous or resinous compounds shall be deemed to be in compliance with this section. If an employer does not comply with all provisions of this paragraph (g)(11) or if during the course of the job the material does not remain intact, the provisions of paragraph (g)(8) of this section apply instead of this paragraph (g)(11).”
Before work begins and as needed during the job, a competent person with the capabilities and authority the rule describes must inspect the worksite and determine that the roofing material is intact and will likely remain intact.
“Before work begins and as needed during the job, a competent person who is capable of identifying asbestos hazards in the workplace and selecting the appropriate control strategy for asbestos exposure, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate such hazards, shall conduct an inspection of the worksite and determine that the roofing material is intact and will likely remain intact.”
The material must not be sanded, abraded or ground; manual methods that do not render it non-intact must be used.
“The material shall not be sanded, abraded, or ground. Manual methods which do not render the material non-intact shall be used.”
Where roofing products labeled as containing asbestos under paragraph (k)(8) are installed on non-residential roofs during (g)(11) operations, the employer must notify the building owner of the presence and location of the materials no later than the end of the job.
“Where roofing products which have been labeled as containing asbestos pursuant to paragraph (k)(8) of this section are installed on non-residential roofs during operations covered by this paragraph (g)(11), the employer shall notify the building owner of the presence and location of such materials no later than the end of the job.”
Under (g)(11), all removal or disturbance of pipeline asphaltic wrap must be performed using wet methods.
“All removal or disturbance of pipeline asphaltic wrap shall be performed using wet methods.”
Not covered here
The (g)(11) training requirement refers to paragraph (k)(9)(viii), which is not covered in this set. The rule's handling of material removed from a roof under (g)(11)(iv) is in the rule text. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Sources
- eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1101, Asbestos (as of Nov 4, 2026)Checked November 6, 2026
Other Asbestos study guides: Scope, definitions, classes of work and exposure limits, Regulated areas and exposure monitoring, Respirators, protective clothing and hygiene facilities, Communication of hazards, training and housekeeping, Medical surveillance, recordkeeping and the competent person, Schools (AHERA): responsibilities, inspections, sampling and assessment, Schools (AHERA): response actions, O&M, management plans and records