1926.1101(f)(2)(i): Asbestos Initial Assessment Timing
Employers with work covered by the asbestos standard must have a competent person conduct an exposure assessment immediately before or at the start of the operation. It must be done in time to meet requirements triggered by exposure data or the lack of a negative exposure assessment, and to make sure planned controls fit and will work.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(f)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 62 times in the last 3 years, in 62 inspections, with $364,889 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (7), OR (6), NC (6).
- Related part: 1926.1101(f) Exposure assessments and monitoring (211 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(f)(2)(i) 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
(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. The assessment must be completed in time to comply with requirements which are triggered by exposure data or the lack of a “negative exposure assessment,” and to provide information necessary to assure that all control systems planned are appropriate for that operation and will work properly. 62 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 | 4 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 26 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: VA (7), OR (6), NC (6), IL (5), NY (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MEDICAL ASSOCIATES CLINIC, P.C. | DUBUQUE, IA | $148,963 |
| TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | TOMS RIVER, NJ | $70,000 |
| UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE | NORWOOD, MA | $35,000 |
| ASHLAND SPECIALTY INGREDIENTS | HOPEWELL, VA | $10,325 |
| TROY BOILER WORKS, INC. | GERMANTOWN, NY | $7,904 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(f)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1101(f)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(f) Exposure assessments and monitoring 211 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(1) General monitoring criteria 123 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(1)(i) 101 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(2) Initial Exposure Assessment 66 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(1)(ii) 18 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(3) Periodic monitoring 14 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(3)(i) Class I and II operations 14 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(5) Employee notification of monitoring results 5 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(2)(iii) 1 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(2)(iii)(A)
- 1926.1101(f)(6) Observation of monitoring
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 conducts the initial asbestos exposure assessment?
A competent person.
When must the assessment be done?
Immediately before or at the initiation of the operation.
Why must it be done on time?
To comply with requirements triggered by exposure data or lack of a negative exposure assessment, and to make sure planned controls are appropriate and will work.
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.