1926.1101(f)(3): Periodic Asbestos Monitoring
Employers must do daily monitoring representative of each employee in a regulated area doing Class I or II asbestos work, unless a negative exposure assessment covers the whole operation, and periodic monitoring for other work expected to exceed a PEL. Daily monitoring may be dropped if all monitored employees use pressure demand or positive pressure supplied-air respirators, except Class I work with unlisted or modified control methods.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(f)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $9,150 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MO (3), TN (2), NC (1).
- 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)(3) ("Periodic monitoring") is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 3 sub-paragraphs. 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
(3) Periodic monitoring — 14 citations
(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) of this section, has made a negative exposure assessment for the entire operation. Open (f)(3)(i) 14 citations
(ii) All operations under the standard other than Class I and II operations. The employer shall conduct periodic monitoring of all work where exposures are expected to exceed a PEL, at intervals sufficient to document the validity of the exposure prediction.
(iii) Exception: When all employees required to be monitored daily are equipped with supplied-air respirators operated in the pressure demand mode, or other positive pressure mode, the employer may dispense with the daily monitoring required by this paragraph. However, employees performing Class I work using a control method which is not listed in paragraph (g)(4)(i), (ii), or (iii) of this section or using a modification of a listed control method, shall continue to be monitored daily even if they are equipped with supplied-air respirators.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MO (3), TN (2), NC (1), OR (1), NM (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ASBESTOS EXPERTS, LLC | SANTA FE, NM | $4,462 |
| SUNBELT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC | MARSHFIELD, MO | $2,009 |
| ATKINS ENTERPRISE, LLC | NASHVILLE, TN | $1,200 |
| 109277 - PREMIERE RESTORATION LLC | MANKATO, MN | $854 |
| 67838 - ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS LLC | HOPKINSVILLE, KY | $625 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(f)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1101(f)(3).
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)(2)(i) 62 citations
- 1926.1101(f)(1)(ii) 18 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
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Frequently asked questions
How often is Class I and II work monitored?
Daily, unless a negative exposure assessment covers the entire operation.
Can supplied-air respirators replace daily monitoring?
Yes, if all employees use supplied-air respirators in pressure demand or other positive pressure mode, with an exception for some Class I work.
What about other asbestos work?
Periodic monitoring is required where exposures are expected to exceed a PEL.
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.