1926.1101(l): Asbestos Housekeeping
Employers must use HEPA filtered vacuums when vacuuming asbestos and empty them in a way that limits reentry of asbestos. Asbestos waste must go in sealed, labeled, impermeable bags or closed containers. Asbestos-containing flooring may not be sanded, and stripping must use low abrasion pads under 300 rpm with wet methods. Waste in areas with certain asbestos materials may not be dry swept or dusted and must be promptly cleaned up.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1101(l) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 24 times in the last 3 years, in 24 inspections, with $111,238 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (5), NV (4), VA (3).
- Related part: 1926.1101(l)(2) Waste disposal (22 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1101(l) ("Housekeeping") is one requirement inside 1926.1101 Asbestos, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 10 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
(l) Housekeeping — 24 citations
(1) Vacuuming. Where vacuuming methods are selected, HEPA filtered vacuuming equipment must be used. The equipment shall be used and emptied in a manner that minimizes the reentry of asbestos into the workplace. Open (l)(1)
(2) Waste disposal. Asbestos waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, equipment, and contaminated clothing consigned for disposal shall be collected and disposed of in sealed, labeled, impermeable bags or other closed, labeled, impermeable containers except in roofing operations, where the procedures specified in paragraph (g)(8)(ii) of this section apply. Open (l)(2) 22 citations
(3) Care of asbestos-containing flooring material. Open (l)(3)
(i) All vinyl and asphalt flooring material shall be maintained in accordance with this paragraph unless the building/facility owner demonstrates, pursuant to paragraph (g)(8)(i)(I) of this section that the flooring does not contain asbestos.
(ii) Sanding of flooring material is prohibited.
(iii) Stripping of finishes shall be conducted using low abrasion pads at speeds lower than 300 rpm and wet methods.
(iv) Burnishing or dry buffing may be performed only on flooring which has sufficient finish so that the pad cannot contact the flooring material.
(4) Waste and debris and accompanying dust in an area containing accessible thermal system insulation or surfacing ACM/PACM or visibly deteriorated ACM: Open (l)(4) 2 citations
(i) Shall not be dusted or swept dry, or vacuumed without using a HEPA filter; 1 citations
(ii) Shall be promptly cleaned up and disposed of in leak tight containers. 1 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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: IL (5), NV (4), VA (3), MI (3), NY (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TOWNSHIP OF TOMS RIVER DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | TOMS RIVER, NJ | $70,000 |
| SHRUB OAK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, LLC | MOHEGAN LAKE, NY | $6,250 |
| SHRUB OAK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, LLC | MOHEGAN LAKE, NY | $6,000 |
| SARONIC INVESTMENTS | RENO, NV | $4,839 |
| PEREZ BROTHERS LLC | RENO, NV | $4,839 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1101(l), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Labeling and waste disposal requirements for glovebags in OSHA’s asbestos standard for construction (2018-03-19)
- Clarification of OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry and construction and the respiratory protection standard as applied to medical surveillance of employees. (2007-05-10)
- Compliance requirements for renovation work involving material containing less than 1% asbestos (2003-11-24)
- Application of the asbestos standard to demolition of buildings with ACM in place. (2002-08-26)
- Questions regarding the cleaning of asbestos-containing floor tile. (1999-11-05)
- Bags for collecting and disposing of asbestos waste. (1994-04-26)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1101(l)(2) Waste disposal 22 citations
- 1926.1101(l)(4) 2 citations
- 1926.1101(l)(1) Vacuuming
- 1926.1101(l)(3) Care of asbestos-containing flooring material
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Frequently asked questions
What kind of vacuum must be used for asbestos?
HEPA filtered vacuuming equipment, used and emptied so asbestos does not reenter the workplace.
Can asbestos-containing flooring be sanded?
No. Sanding of flooring material is prohibited.
How must asbestos waste be disposed of?
In sealed, labeled, impermeable bags or other closed, labeled, impermeable containers, except roofing operations follow paragraph (g)(8)(ii).
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 2026-10-19
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.