1926.1101(m)(2)(i): Schedule for Asbestos Medical Exams
Construction employers must offer medical exams and consultations to covered asbestos workers before assignment to areas where negative-pressure respirators are worn, and within 10 working days after the thirtieth day of exposure when exposure may be at or above the PEL, or Class I, II or III work totals 30 or more days a year. Exams must then be offered at least annually, or more often if the physician says so, unless records show an exam in the past year.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(m)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $900 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (26), MD (1), TN (1).
- Related part: 1926.1101(m) Medical surveillance— (130 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(m)(2)(i) ("Frequency") 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
(i) Frequency. The employer shall make available medical examinations and consultations to each employee covered under paragraph (m)(1)(i) of this section on the following schedules: 28 citations
(A) Prior to assignment of the employee to an area where negative-pressure respirators are worn;
(B) When the employee is assigned to an area where exposure to asbestos may be at or above the permissible exposure limit for 30 or more days per year, or engage in Class I, II, or III work for a combined total of 30 or more days per year, a medical examination must be given within 10 working days following the thirtieth day of exposure; 1 citations
(C) And at least annually thereafter. 2 citations
(D) If the examining physician determines that any of the examinations should be provided more frequently than specified, the employer shall provide such examinations to affected employees at the frequencies specified by the physician.
(E) Exception: No medical examination is required of any employee if adequate records show that the employee has been examined in accordance with this paragraph within the past 1-year period.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 7 |
Top states: MI (26), MD (1), TN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| QUALITY NRG SOLUTIONS LLC | NEWBERRY, MI | $400 |
| DETROIT ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, LLC | FLINT, MI | $200 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS - MICHIGAN LLC | GARDEN CITY, MI | $200 |
| BARNARD BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION, LLC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $100 |
| MARTIN & ASSOCIATES ENVIRONMENTAL LLC | DOWAGIAC, MI | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(m)(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(m)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(m) Medical surveillance— 130 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(2) Medical examinations and consultations 70 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(4) Physician's written opinion 42 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(4)(i) 42 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(2)(ii) Content 42 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(1) General 18 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(1)(i) Employees covered 18 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(1)(i)(B) 12 citations
- 1926.1101(m)(2)(ii)(C) 8 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
When is the first asbestos medical exam offered?
Before assignment to an area where negative-pressure respirators are worn, and within 10 working days after the thirtieth day of exposure for workers meeting the 30-day criteria.
How often are follow-up exams required?
At least annually thereafter, or more frequently if the examining physician says so.
Is an exam needed if the worker was recently examined?
No, if adequate records show the employee was examined under this paragraph within the past 1-year period.
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.