1926.1101(e)(6): Competent Person Supervises Asbestos Work
Employers must make sure all asbestos work inside regulated areas is supervised by a competent person, as defined in the asbestos standard.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(e)(6) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 48 times in the last 3 years, in 48 inspections, with $15,092 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (42), NV (2), MD (1).
- Related part: 1926.1101(e) Regulated areas (143 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(e)(6) ("Competent Persons") is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(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) of this section. The duties of the competent person are set out in paragraph (o) of this section. 48 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 18 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: MI (42), NV (2), MD (1), AZ (1), NC (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SARONIC INVESTMENTS | RENO, NV | $4,839 |
| PEREZ BROTHERS LLC | RENO, NV | $4,839 |
| CPX2024XMS021X0021 - COMMERCIAL CARPET CLEANING, INC DBA COMMERCIAL CLEANING AND RESTORATION | TUCSON, AZ | $4,610 |
| AMERICAN QUALITY CONSTRUCTION, INC. | RADFORD, VA | $804 |
| BRANBETH CONSTRUCTION, INC. | ADRIAN, MI | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(e)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1101(e)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(e) Regulated areas 143 citations
- 1926.1101(e)(1) 84 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who must supervise asbestos work in a regulated area?
A competent person, as defined in paragraph (b) of 1926.1101.
Does this apply to all asbestos work?
It applies to all asbestos work performed within regulated areas.
Where are the competent person's duties listed?
In paragraph (o) of 1926.1101.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1101 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.
