1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A): Respirators for Class I Asbestos Work
Employers must provide a tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator, or a full facepiece supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode with HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure SCBA, for employees doing Class I asbestos work in a regulated area without a negative exposure assessment, when the exposure assessment shows levels at or below 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $8,200 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (15), OR (1).
- 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)(3)(iv)(A) is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). 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
(A) A tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator or a full facepiece, supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode and equipped with either HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) whenever the employees are in a regulated area performing Class I asbestos work for which a negative exposure assessment is not available and the exposure assessment indicates that the exposure level will be at or below 1 f/cc as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA). 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: MI (15), OR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RIGHTWAY REMEDIATION LLC | BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI | $4,000 |
| RIGHTWAY REMEDIATION LLC | FLINT, MI | $1,400 |
| MICHIGAN MECHANICAL ABATEMENT, INC. | SAGINAW, MI | $1,400 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNICAL CONTROLS, INC. | MARSHALL, MI | $1,000 |
| FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTING INC. | ROYAL OAK, MI | $400 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv)(A), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Respirators for asbestos Class I work (2024-01-04)
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)(1) General 76 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3) Respirator selection 48 citations
- 1926.1101(h)(3)(iv) 27 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
When does this respirator rule apply?
During Class I asbestos work in a regulated area with no negative exposure assessment, when exposure is assessed at or below 1 f/cc as an 8-hour TWA.
What respirators meet this rule?
A tight-fitting PAPR, or a full facepiece supplied-air respirator in pressure-demand mode with HEPA egress cartridges or an auxiliary positive-pressure SCBA.
What does TWA mean?
Time-weighted average, here measured over 8 hours.
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.