1926.1101(i)(1): When Asbestos Protective Clothing Is Required
Employers must provide or require protective clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole-body clothing, head coverings, gloves and foot coverings, for any employee exposed above the TWA and/or excursion limit, when a required negative exposure assessment is not produced, or performing Class I removal of over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(i)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 72 times in the last 3 years, in 72 inspections, with $73,290 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (47), IL (5), NY (5).
- Related part: 1926.1101(i) Protective clothing (76 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(i)(1) ("General") 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
(1) General. The employer shall provide or require the use of protective clothing, such as coveralls or similar whole-body clothing, head coverings, gloves, and foot coverings for any employee exposed to airborne concentrations of asbestos that exceed the TWA and/or excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section, or for which a required negative exposure assessment is not produced, or for any employee performing Class I operations which involve the removal of over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM. 72 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1101.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 17 |
Top states: MI (47), IL (5), NY (5), OR (3), VA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ACCOLADE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTING, CORP. | BOSTON, MA | $33,103 |
| JM ROMICH ENTERPRISES, INC | GREECE, NY | $5,250 |
| NORTHERN HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. | LANSING, MI | $5,000 |
| TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | TOMS RIVER, NJ | $5,000 |
| EMSL MANAGEMENT, LLC | MELBOURNE, FL | $4,634 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(i)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of the terms street clothing and work clothing as used in the asbestos standard for construction work. (2010-08-17)
- Requirements for tapping or tying-in to asbestos containing cement water pipes for construction. (2007-05-29)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(i) Protective clothing 76 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What protective clothing is required?
Coveralls or similar whole-body clothing, head coverings, gloves and foot coverings.
When is it required?
For exposure above the TWA and/or excursion limit, when a required negative exposure assessment is not produced, or for the listed Class I removals.
What Class I work triggers it?
Removal of over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM and PACM.
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.