1926.1101(g)(8)(ii): Removing Asbestos Roofing
When removing roofing material that contains asbestos, employers must remove it intact where feasible, use wet methods for material that is not intact, keep cutting machines misted, collect power-cutter dust by HEPA methods (or, on smooth roofs, by careful wet sweeping and wiping), and bag the dust and debris immediately. Removed material must not be dropped or thrown to the ground but carried down by hand or lowered by covered dust-tight chute, crane or hoist.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(g)(8)(ii) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $29,661 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (4), IL (2), MO (2).
- Related part: 1926.1101(g) Methods of compliance (297 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(8)(ii) 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
(ii) For removing roofing material which contains ACM the employer shall ensure that the following work practices are followed: 18 citations
(A) Roofing material shall be removed in an intact state to the extent feasible. 1 citations
(B) Wet methods shall be used to remove roofing materials that are not intact, or that will be rendered not intact during removal, unless such wet methods are not feasible or will create safety hazards. 4 citations
(C) Cutting machines shall be continuously misted during use, unless a competent person determines that misting substantially decreases worker safety.
(D) When removing built-up roofs with asbestos-containing roofing felts and an aggregate surface using a power roof cutter, all dust resulting from the cutting operation shall be collected by a HEPA dust collector, or shall be HEPA vacuumed by vacuuming along the cut line. When removing built-up roofs with asbestos-containing roofing felts and a smooth surface using a power roof cutter, the dust resulting from the cutting operation shall be collected either by a HEPA dust collector or HEPA vacuuming along the cut line, or by gently sweeping and then carefully and completely wiping up the still-wet dust and debris left along the cut line. The dust and debris shall be immediately bagged or placed in covered containers.
(E) Asbestos-containing material that has been removed from a roof shall not be dropped or thrown to the ground. Unless the material is carried or passed to the ground by hand, it shall be lowered to the ground via covered, dust-tight chute, crane or hoist: 8 citations
(1) Any ACM that is not intact shall be lowered to the ground as soon as is practicable, but in any event no later than the end of the work shift. While the material remains on the roof it shall either be kept wet, placed in an impermeable waste bag, or wrapped in plastic sheeting.
(2) Intact ACM shall be lowered to the ground as soon as is practicable, but in any event no later than the end of the work shift.
(F) Upon being lowered, unwrapped material shall be transferred to a closed receptacle in such manner so as to preclude the dispersion of dust. 4 citations
(G) Roof level heating and ventilation air intake sources shall be isolated or the ventilation system shall be shut down.
(H) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, removal or repair of sections of intact roofing less than 25 square feet in area does not require use of wet methods or HEPA vacuuming as long as manual methods which do not render the material non-intact are used to remove the material and no visible dust is created by the removal method used. In determining whether a job involves less than 25 square feet, the employer shall include all removal and repair work performed on the same roof on the same day.
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 | 3 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: NC (4), IL (2), MO (2), WI (2), MD (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ARSI ASBESTOS REMOVAL SERVICES INC. | MOBERLY, MO | $16,134 |
| 317741862 - ROSE CITY CONTRACTING INC | PORTLAND, OR | $8,474 |
| JI ROOFING AND SIDING LLC | TWO RIVERS, WI | $2,482 |
| CENTIMARK CORPORATION | FORT DODGE, IA | $940 |
| 67838 - ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING SOLUTIONS LLC | HOPKINSVILLE, KY | $875 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(g)(8)(ii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Compliance requirements for renovation work involving material containing less than 1% asbestos (2003-11-24)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(g) Methods of compliance 297 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(1) 105 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(8) Additional Controls for Class II work 71 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(7) Work practices and engineering controls for Class II work 40 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(5) Specific control methods for Class I work 29 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(8)(i) 28 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(7)(i) 25 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(1)(ii) 16 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(4) Class I Requirements 15 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(5)(i) 15 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(8)(iii) 15 citations
- 1926.1101(g)(1)(iii) 13 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
Can asbestos roofing be thrown off the roof?
No. It must not be dropped or thrown; it must be carried or passed down by hand or lowered via covered, dust-tight chute, crane or hoist.
When must cutting machines be misted?
Continuously during use, unless a competent person determines that misting substantially decreases worker safety.
When must non-intact material come down?
As soon as is practicable, but in any event no later than the end of the work shift.
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.