1910.1001(j)(4)(iv): Asbestos Signs at Mechanical Room Entrances
Building owners must post signs at the entrance to mechanical rooms or areas that employees can reasonably be expected to enter and that contain ACM or PACM, identifying the material, its location, and work practices that will keep it from being disturbed. Employers must ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who see the signs can understand them, which may include foreign languages, pictographs, graphics and awareness training.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1001(j)(4)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $5,990 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (2), NJ (2), NY (1).
- Related part: 1910.1001(j) Communication of hazards to employees—Introduction (467 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(4)(iv) is one requirement inside 1910.1001 Asbestos, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(iv) At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, the building owner shall post signs which identify the material which is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, graphics, and awareness training. 11 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1001.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: OR (2), NJ (2), NY (1), IA (1), VA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PATERSON DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS | PATERSON, NJ | $4,950 |
| WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $1,040 |
| 317734566 - TERRAMAI INC | WHITE CITY, OR | $0 |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCHESTER, NY | $0 |
| WOODBURY COUNTY COURTHOUSE | SIOUX CITY, IA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1001(j)(4)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1001(j)(4)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1001(j) Communication of hazards to employees—Introduction 467 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(3) Duties of employers and building and facility owners 265 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(3)(i) 197 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(7) Employee information and training 133 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(7)(iv) 125 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(3)(iii) 64 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(5) Warning labels 31 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(5)(i) Labeling 30 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(4) Warning signs 20 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(1) Hazard communication—general 14 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(6)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.1001(j)(6) 1 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
Who must post asbestos signs at mechanical rooms?
The building owner.
What must the sign say?
The material present, its location, and appropriate work practices that will keep the ACM or PACM from being disturbed.
How do employers make sure workers understand the signs?
To the extent feasible, using means such as foreign languages, pictographs, graphics and awareness training.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1001 (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.