1926.1101(j)(1)(iii): Asbestos Decontamination Exit Steps
Employers must make sure workers leaving an asbestos regulated area remove gross contamination from their clothing, take off protective clothing in the equipment room and bag it in labeled impermeable bags, keep respirators on in the equipment room, shower before entering the clean room, and enter the clean room before putting on street clothes.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(iii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $5,040 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (12), TN (1).
- Related part: 1926.1101(j) Hygiene facilities and practices for employees (116 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(j)(1)(iii) ("Decontamination area exit procedures") is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 5 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
(iii) Decontamination area exit procedures. The employer shall ensure that: 13 citations
(A) Before leaving the regulated area, employees shall remove all gross contamination and debris from their protective clothing.
(B) Employees shall remove their protective clothing in the equipment room and deposit the clothing in labeled impermeable bags or containers.
(C) Employees shall not remove their respirators in the equipment room.
(D) Employees shall shower prior to entering the clean room. 1 citations
(E) After showering, employees shall enter the clean room before changing into street clothes.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: MI (12), TN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MWV ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. | DETROIT, MI | $5,040 |
| TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC | OSSINEKE, MI | $0 |
| DETROIT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | FLINT, MI | $0 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, INC. | BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI | $0 |
| RIGHTWAY REMEDIATION LLC | FLINT, MI | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(j)(1)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1101(j)(1)(iii).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(j) Hygiene facilities and practices for employees 116 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1) 60 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(2) 56 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(2)(i) 46 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(i) Decontamination areas 33 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(ii) Decontamination area entry procedures 12 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(i)(B) Shower area 8 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(4) Smoking in work areas
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
Where is protective clothing removed?
In the equipment room, placed in labeled impermeable bags or containers.
Can respirators come off in the equipment room?
No. Employees shall not remove their respirators in the equipment room.
When do workers shower?
Before entering the clean room.
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.