1926.1101(j)(2)(i): Asbestos Equipment Decontamination Room
Employers must set up an equipment room or area next to the asbestos regulated area for decontaminating workers and their contaminated equipment. It must be an area covered by an impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(j)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 46 times in the last 3 years, in 46 inspections, with $19,757 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (43), MO (1), VA (1).
- Related part: 1926.1101(j) Hygiene facilities and practices for employees (116 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(j)(2)(i) 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
(i) The employer shall establish an equipment room or area that is adjacent to the regulated area for the decontamination of employees and their equipment which is contaminated with asbestos which shall consist of an area covered by an impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface. 46 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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: MI (43), MO (1), VA (1), OR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| RIGHTWAY REMEDIATION LLC | FLINT, MI | $10,000 |
| NORTHERN HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. | LANSING, MI | $5,000 |
| MSP ENVIRONMENTAL LLC | HIGGINSVILLE, MO | $4,257 |
| MID-STATE ASBESTOS REMOVAL, INC. | HARBOR SPRINGS, MI | $500 |
| BRANBETH CONSTRUCTION, INC. | ADRIAN, MI | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(j)(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(j)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(j) Hygiene facilities and practices for employees 116 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1) 60 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(2) 56 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(i) Decontamination areas 33 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(iii) Decontamination area exit procedures 13 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(ii) Decontamination area entry procedures 12 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(1)(i)(B) Shower area 8 citations
- 1926.1101(j)(4) Smoking in work areas
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
Where must the equipment room be?
Adjacent to the regulated area.
What is it used for?
Decontaminating employees and their equipment contaminated with asbestos.
What must cover the floor?
An impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal working surface.
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.