Asbestos respirators, protective clothing and hygiene facilities study guide
29 CFR 1926.1101 is OSHA's asbestos standard for construction. This guide sets out what paragraphs (h), (i) and (j) of the federal rule text state on when respirators must be used, the respirator program and medical fitness for respirator use, respirator selection, protective clothing, laundering, transport and inspection of worksuits, decontamination areas for larger Class I jobs, decontamination entry and exit procedures, lunch areas, and hygiene for smaller Class I jobs, Class II, III and IV work, and smoking. The parts of 29 CFR 1910.134 and 1910.141 that these paragraphs refer to are not described here. 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.
When respirators must be used
For employees who use respirators required by 1926.1101, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complies with paragraph (h).
“For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complies with the requirements of this paragraph.”
Paragraph (h)(1) then lists when respirators must be used. The first item is Class I asbestos work.
“Respirators must be used during: (i) Class I asbestos work.”
Respirators must be used during Class II asbestos work when ACM is not removed in a substantially intact state.
“Class II asbestos work when ACM is not removed in a substantially intact state.”
Respirators must be used during Class II and III asbestos work that is not performed using wet methods. The exception is removal of ACM from sloped roofs when a negative-exposure assessment has been conducted and the ACM is removed in an intact state.
“Class II and III asbestos work that is not performed using wet methods, except for removal of ACM from sloped roofs when a negative-exposure assessment has been conducted and ACM is removed in an intact state.”
Respirators must be used during Class II and III asbestos work for which a negative-exposure assessment has not been conducted.
“Class II and III asbestos work for which a negative-exposure assessment has not been conducted.”
Respirators must be used during Class III asbestos work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is being disturbed.
“Class III asbestos work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is being disturbed.”
Respirators must be used during Class IV asbestos work performed within regulated areas where employees performing other work are required to use respirators.
“Class IV asbestos work performed within regulated areas where employees who are performing other work are required to use respirators.”
Respirators must also be used during work operations covered by 1926.1101 in which employees are exposed above the TWA or excursion limit, and during emergencies.
“Work operations covered by this section for which employees are exposed above the TWA or excursion limit. (viii) Emergencies.”
Respirator program and medical fitness
The employer must implement a respiratory protection program, following the listed paragraphs of § 1910.134, that covers each employee required by 1926.1101 to use a respirator.
“The employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with § 1910.134 (b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m), which covers each employee required by this section to use a respirator.”
No employee may be assigned to asbestos work that requires respirator use if, based on the most recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to function normally while using a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by the employee's respirator use.
“No employee shall be assigned to asbestos work that requires respirator use if, based on their most recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to function normally while using a respirator, or that the safety or health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by the employee's respirator use.”
Such employees must be assigned to another job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different position that they can perform.
“Such employees must be assigned to another job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different position that they can perform.”
If a transfer position is available, it must be with the same employer, in the same geographical area, and with the same seniority, status, rate of pay and other job benefits the employee had just before the transfer.
“If such a transfer position is available, it must be with the same employer, in the same geographical area, and with the same seniority, status, rate of pay, and other job benefits the employee had just prior to such transfer.”
Not covered here
The parts of 29 CFR 1910.134 that paragraph (h)(2)(i) refers to are not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Respirator selection
Employers must select and provide the appropriate respirators specified in 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A), but must not select or use filtering facepiece respirators for use against asbestos fibers.
“Employers must: (A) Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirators specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134; however, employers must not select or use filtering facepiece respirators for use against asbestos fibers.”
Employers must provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators.
“Provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators.”
When an employee chooses to use a tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) and it provides adequate protection, the employer must provide it instead of a negative pressure respirator.
“Employers must provide an employee with tight-fitting, powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) instead of a negative pressure respirator selected according to paragraph (h)(3)(i)(A) of this standard when the employee chooses to use a PAPR and it provides adequate protection to the employee.”
Employers must provide an air-purifying half mask respirator, other than a filtering facepiece respirator, whenever employees perform Class II or Class III asbestos work for which no negative exposure assessment is available.
“Employers must provide employees with an air-purifying half mask respirator, other than a filtering facepiece respirator, whenever the employees perform: (A) Class II or Class III asbestos work for which no negative exposure assessment is available.”
The same half mask requirement applies to Class III asbestos work involving disturbance of TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM.
“Class III asbestos work involving disturbance of TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM.”
For employees in a regulated area doing Class I asbestos work with no negative exposure assessment available, where the exposure assessment indicates exposure at or below 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA, the employer must provide one of the options: a tight-fitting PAPR, or a full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand mode and equipped with either HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure SCBA.
“Employers must provide employees with: (A) A tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator or a full facepiece, supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode and equipped with either HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) whenever the employees are in a regulated area performing Class I asbestos work for which a negative exposure assessment is not available and the exposure assessment indicates that the exposure level will be at or below 1 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).”
Where the exposure assessment for such Class I work indicates exposure above 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA, the employer must provide a full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand mode and equipped with an auxiliary positive-pressure SCBA.
“A full facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode and equipped with an auxiliary positive-pressure SCBA whenever the employees are in a regulated area performing Class I asbestos work for which a negative exposure assessment is not available and the exposure assessment indicates that the exposure level will be above 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA.”
Not covered here
The respirators listed in 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) are not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Protective clothing
The employer must provide or require protective clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole-body clothing, head coverings, gloves and foot coverings, for any employee exposed to airborne asbestos above the TWA and/or excursion limit in paragraph (c).
“The employer shall provide or require the use of protective clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole-body clothing, head coverings, gloves, and foot coverings for any employee exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos that exceed the TWA and/or excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section”
Protective clothing is also required in cases for which a required negative exposure assessment is not produced, and for any employee performing Class I operations that involve removal of over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.
“or for which a required negative exposure assessment is not produced, or for any employee performing Class I operations which involve the removal of over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.”
The employer must ensure contaminated clothing is laundered so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos in excess of the TWA or excursion limit.
“The employer shall ensure that laundering of contaminated clothing is done so as to prevent the release of airborne asbestos in excess of the TWA or excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.”
An employer who gives contaminated clothing to another person for laundering must inform that person of this requirement to effectively prevent the release of airborne asbestos in excess of the TWA and excursion limit.
“Any employer who gives contaminated clothing to another person for laundering shall inform such person of the requirement in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section to effectively prevent the release of airborne asbestos in excess of the TWA and excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.”
Contaminated clothing must be transported in sealed impermeable bags or other closed, impermeable containers, labeled in accordance with paragraph (k).
“Contaminated clothing shall be transported in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers, and be labeled in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section.”
The competent person must examine worksuits worn by employees at least once per workshift for rips or tears that may occur during the work.
“The competent person shall examine worksuits worn by employees at least once per workshift for rips or tears that may occur during performance of work.”
When rips or tears are detected while an employee is working, they must be immediately mended, or the worksuit must be immediately replaced.
“When rips or tears are detected while an employee is working, rips and tears shall be immediately mended, or the worksuit shall be immediately replaced.”
Not covered here
The labeling requirements of paragraph (k) are not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Decontamination areas for larger Class I jobs
Paragraph (j)(1) applies to employees performing Class I asbestos jobs involving over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.
“Requirements for employees performing Class I asbestos jobs involving over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.”
For these employees, the employer must establish a decontamination area that is adjacent and connected to the regulated area.
“The employer shall establish a decontamination area that is adjacent and connected to the regulated area for the decontamination of such employees.”
The decontamination area consists of an equipment room, shower area and clean room in series, and the employer must ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through it.
“The decontamination area shall consist of an equipment room, shower area, and clean room in series. The employer shall ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the decontamination area.”
The equipment room must be supplied with impermeable, labeled bags and containers for the containment and disposal of contaminated protective equipment.
“The equipment room shall be supplied with impermeable, labeled bags and containers for the containment and disposal of contaminated protective equipment.”
Shower facilities complying with 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(3) must be provided, unless the employer can demonstrate that they are not feasible.
“Shower facilities shall be provided which comply with 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(3), unless the employer can demonstrate that they are not feasible.”
The showers must be adjacent both to the equipment room and the clean room, unless the employer can demonstrate that this location is not feasible.
“The showers shall be adjacent both to the equipment room and the clean room, unless the employer can demonstrate that this location is not feasible.”
Where the employer can demonstrate that the shower cannot feasibly be located between the equipment room and the clean room, or where the work is performed outdoors, the employer must ensure employees follow one of the options. The first is to remove asbestos contamination from their worksuits in the equipment room using a HEPA vacuum before proceeding to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area.
“Where the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to locate the shower between the equipment room and the clean room, or where the work is performed outdoors, the employers shall ensure that employees: (1) Remove asbestos contamination from their worksuits in the equipment room using a HEPA vacuum before proceeding to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area; or”
The other option is to remove contaminated worksuits in the equipment room, put on clean worksuits, and proceed to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area.
“Remove their contaminated worksuits in the equipment room, then don clean worksuits, and proceed to a shower that is not adjacent to the work area.”
The clean room must be equipped with a locker or appropriate storage container for each employee's use.
“The clean room shall be equipped with a locker or appropriate storage container for each employee's use.”
When the employer can demonstrate that a clean change area adjacent to the work area is not feasible, or where the work is performed outdoors, the employer may permit employees on Class I jobs to clean their protective clothing with a portable HEPA-equipped vacuum before they leave the regulated area.
“When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to provide a clean change area adjacent to the work area or where the work is performed outdoors, the employer may permit employees engaged in Class I asbestos jobs to clean their protective clothing with a portable HEPA-equipped vacuum before such employees leave the regulated area.”
After showering, those employees must still change into street clothing in clean change areas provided by the employer that otherwise meet the requirements of 1926.1101.
“Following showering, such employees however must then change into street clothing in clean change areas provided by the employer which otherwise meet the requirements of this section.”
Not covered here
The shower requirements of 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(3) are not described here. We only write what an official source states, so study these parts with your certifying program's materials.
Decontamination area entry and exit, and lunch areas
On entry, the employer must ensure that employees enter the decontamination area through the clean room, remove and deposit their street clothing in a locker provided for their use, and put on protective clothing and respiratory protection before leaving the clean room.
“The employer shall ensure that employees: (A) Enter the decontamination area through the clean room; (B) Remove and deposit street clothing within a locker provided for their use; and (C) Put on protective clothing and respiratory protection before leaving the clean room.”
Before entering the regulated area, the employer must ensure that employees pass through the equipment room.
“Before entering the regulated area, the employer shall ensure that employees pass through the equipment room.”
On exit, employees must remove all gross contamination and debris from their protective clothing before leaving the regulated area.
“Before leaving the regulated area, employees shall remove all gross contamination and debris from their protective clothing.”
Employees must remove their protective clothing in the equipment room and deposit it in labeled impermeable bags or containers.
“Employees shall remove their protective clothing in the equipment room and deposit the clothing in labeled impermeable bags or containers.”
Employees must not remove their respirators in the equipment room.
“Employees shall not remove their respirators in the equipment room.”
Employees must shower before entering the clean room, and after showering they must enter the clean room before changing into street clothes.
“Employees shall shower prior to entering the clean room. (E) After showering, employees shall enter the clean room before changing into street clothes.”
Whenever food or beverages are consumed at a worksite where employees are performing Class I asbestos work, the employer must provide lunch areas in which airborne asbestos concentrations are below the permissible exposure limit and/or excursion limit.
“Whenever food or beverages are consumed at the worksite where employees are performing Class I asbestos work, the employer shall provide lunch areas in which the airborne concentrations of asbestos are below the permissible exposure limit and/or excursion limit.”
Hygiene for smaller Class I jobs, Class II, III and IV work, and smoking
Paragraph (j)(2) applies to Class I work involving less than 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM, and to Class II and Class III operations where exposures exceed a PEL or where no negative exposure assessment was produced before the operation.
“Requirements for Class I work involving less than 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM, and for Class II and Class III asbestos work operations where exposures exceed a PEL or where there is no negative exposure assessment produced before the operation.”
For this work, the employer must establish an equipment room or area adjacent to the regulated area for decontaminating employees and their equipment, consisting of an area covered by an impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface.
“The employer shall establish an equipment room or area that is adjacent to the regulated area for the decontamination of employees and their equipment which is contaminated with asbestos which shall consist of an area covered by an impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface.”
The area must be large enough to clean equipment and remove personal protective equipment without spreading contamination beyond it, as determined by visible accumulations.
“The area must be of sufficient size as to accommodate cleaning of equipment and removing personal protective equipment without spreading contamination beyond the area (as determined by visible accumulations).”
Work clothing must be cleaned with a HEPA vacuum before it is removed.
“Work clothing must be cleaned with a HEPA vacuum before it is removed.”
All equipment and the surfaces of containers filled with ACM must be cleaned before they are removed from the equipment room or area.
“All equipment and surfaces of containers filled with ACM must be cleaned prior to removing them from the equipment room or area.”
The employer must ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the equipment room or area.
“The employer shall ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the equipment room or area.”
Employees performing Class IV work within a regulated area must comply with the hygiene practice required of employees performing higher-classification work within that regulated area.
“Employers shall ensure that employees performing Class IV work within a regulated area comply with the hygiene practice required of employees performing work which has a higher classification within that regulated area.”
Otherwise, employers of employees cleaning up debris and material that is TSI or surfacing ACM or identified as PACM must provide the decontamination facilities required by paragraph (j)(2).
“Otherwise employers of employees cleaning up debris and material which is TSI or surfacing ACM or identified as PACM shall provide decontamination facilities for such employees which are required by paragraph (j)(2) of this section.”
The employer must ensure that employees do not smoke in work areas where they are occupationally exposed to asbestos because of activities in that work area.
“The employer shall ensure that employees do not smoke in work areas where they are occupationally exposed to asbestos because of activities in that work area.”
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, Methods of compliance, 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