1926.1101(h)(1): When Respirators Are Required for Asbestos Work
Employers must provide an appropriate respirator to each employee required to use one under the asbestos standard. Respirators must be used during Class I work, certain Class II and III work, Class IV work in regulated areas where others must wear respirators, work with exposures above the TWA or excursion limit, and emergencies.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(h)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 76 times in the last 3 years, in 72 inspections, with $93,746 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (49), IL (10), NY (7).
- Related part: 1926.1101(h) Respiratory protection (204 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(h)(1) ("General") is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 8 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
(1) General. 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. Respirators must be used during: 76 citations
(i) Class I asbestos work. 8 citations
(ii) Class II asbestos work when ACM is not removed in a substantially intact state. 7 citations
(iii) 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. 1 citations
(iv) Class II and III asbestos work for which a negative-exposure assessment has not been conducted. 8 citations
(v) Class III asbestos work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is being disturbed.
(vi) Class IV asbestos work performed within regulated areas where employees who are performing other work are required to use respirators.
(vii) Work operations covered by this section for which employees are exposed above the TWA or excursion limit.
(viii) Emergencies.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 29 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: MI (49), IL (10), NY (7), TN (2), OR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCOLADE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTING, CORP. | BOSTON, MA | $33,103 |
| TROY BOILER WORKS, INC. | GERMANTOWN, NY | $7,904 |
| K.L.F. ENTERPRISES, INC. | WAUKEGAN, IL | $7,452 |
| JM ROMICH ENTERPRISES, INC | GREECE, NY | $5,250 |
| NORTHERN HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. | LANSING, MI | $5,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(h) Respiratory protection 204 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(2) Respirator program 80 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(2)(i) 80 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3) Respirator selection 48 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv) 27 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A) 16 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iii) 13 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iii)(A) 12 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(i) 8 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(i)(A) 8 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(2)(ii)
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(i)(B)
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
Is a respirator required for all Class I asbestos work?
Yes. Respirators must be used during Class I asbestos work.
When is a respirator needed for Class II work?
When ACM is not removed in a substantially intact state, and in Class II and III work without wet methods or without a negative exposure assessment, subject to the listed exception for intact sloped roof removal.
Are respirators required in emergencies?
Yes. Emergencies are on the list.
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 2026-10-23
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.