[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 165 (Friday, August 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43454-43459]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21519]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915, and 1926

[Docket number H-033-e]
RIN 1218-AB25


Occupational Exposure to Asbestos, Tremolite, Anthophyllite and 
Actinolite

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of 
Labor.

ACTION: Final rule: corrections.

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SUMMARY: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is 
correcting certain provisions of the final asbestos standards issued 
August 10, 1994 (59 FR 40964) and corrected and clarified June 29, 1995 
(60 FR 33974) and September 29, 1995 (60 FR 50411).

EFFECTIVE DATE: These amendments take effect September 23, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Anne Cyr, Office of Information 
and Consumer Affairs, OSHA, U. S. Department of Labor, Room N3647, 200 
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 219-
8151.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    On August 10, 1994, OSHA issued asbestos standards for general 
industry, construction work, and shipyard work. 59 FR 40964. On June 
29, 1995, and September 29, 1995, OSHA issued notices correcting and 
clarifying various provisions of those standards. 60 FR 33974; 60 FR 
50411. This notice further corrects various provisions of the standards 
and clarifies the meaning of certain provisions of the standards.
    The corrections set forth in this document are based on the 
existing rulemaking record and are not intended to affect the 
protection afforded by the standards in a significant way. OSHA 
therefore finds good cause, pursuant to 29 CFR 1911.15 and the 
Administrative Procedure Act, for promulgating the corrections without 
notice and opportunity for public comment.
    This preamble will describe the changes to the regulatory text of 
the standards and will also clarify the meaning of certain existing 
provisions of the asbestos standards.

2. Respirators

    The standards require that engineering and work practice controls 
be supplemented by respirator use when employees are exposed to 
asbestos fibers in concentrations exceeding the permissible exposure 
limit (PEL) and in certain other circumstances. The type of respirator 
that may be used depends on the amount by which exposures are expected 
to exceed the PEL. When exposures are less than 10 times the PEL, half-
mask air-purifying respirators equipped with high efficiency filters 
may be used. Full-facepiece air-purifying respirators with high 
efficiency filters are permissible for exposures up to 50 times the 
PEL. Higher exposures require the use of positive pressure respirators, 
either powered air-purifying respirators (for exposures up to 100 times 
the PEL) or full facepiece supplied-air respirators (for even higher 
exposures).
    Paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of the construction and shipyard standards 
provides that any employee who must wear a respirator under the 
standard may require that the employer provide him or her with a 
powered air-purifying respirator in lieu of a negative pressure 
respirator. Accordingly, even if the amount of asbestos to which an 
employee is exposed would permit that employee to be protected by a 
negative pressure respirator, an employee who wishes to wear a more 
effective respirator may require the employer to provide a powered air-
purifying respirator.
    It is important that employees understand that they have this 
choice. Accordingly, paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of the construction and 
shipyard standards is being revised to state explicitly that the 
employer must inform employees of their right to require provision of a 
powered air-purifying respirator in lieu of a negative pressure 
respirator. This requirement for employee notification is already 
implicit in provisions of the standards requiring that employees who 
perform work that is covered by a standard be trained in the contents 
of the standard. By stating explicitly that the employer must inform 
employees who are required to wear respirators that the employee may 
require the employer to provide a powered air-purifying respirator, the 
standards will better assure that employees receive the information 
they need to exercise the option afforded them by paragraph 
(h)(2)(iii).

3. Signs and Labels

    The asbestos standards require that signs and labels be used to 
warn employees of the presence of asbestos in buildings and vessels. 
When the 1994 standards were issued, certain provisions for signs and 
labels were carried over from earlier standards issued in 1986, and 
other provisions were added.
    In resolving the judicial challenges to the 1986 standards, the 
court of appeals ordered OSHA to reconsider its determination not to 
require signs and labels to be in languages other than English. In 
response to the court's order, OSHA did not require that signs and 
labels be in languages other than English but did take other steps to 
assure that employees who were not fluent in English understood the 
warnings provided by the signs and labels. The agency added a new 
requirement that the training program specifically cover the contents 
of signs and labels and also required that the training assure that 
employees comprehend the warning signs. With these changes, OSHA 
concluded that the entire hazard communication program required by the 
standard ``will ensure that all exposed employees are effectively 
warned of the presence and hazards of asbestos-containing material on 
worksites.'' 55 FR 3724, 3730 (Feb. 5, 1990).
    The 1994 standards carried over the provisions requiring that 
employees be trained in the contents of signs and labels and that the 
training be conducted in a manner that the employee can comprehend. To 
further ensure that workers understand the warnings provided by signs 
and labels, the June 29, 1995 notice added a requirement to the 
construction and shipyard standards stating that the employer assure 
that the signs required at the entrance to regulated areas be 
comprehensible to employees. The regulated area sign provisions listed 
foreign languages, pictographs and graphics, as means to promote 
employee comprehension.
    OSHA has determined that language stating the need to promote 
employee comprehension of signs and labels should be included in all of 
the sign and label requirements found in the asbestos standards. 
Accordingly, this notice revises paragraph (j)(3)(v) of the general 
industry standard, and paragraphs (k)(6) and (k)(8)(vii) of the 
construction and shipyard standards, to similarly state that employers 
must assure employee comprehension of the signs and labels. These 
revisions will provide for consistency in all of the provisions of the 
standards that require asbestos warning signs and labels and will 
therefore better assure that workers, particularly those who are not 
fluent in

[[Page 43455]]

English, are aware of the presence and location of asbestos in their 
workplaces. OSHA reiterates, however, that it is not mandating that 
signs and labels be written in languages other than English. The 
standards give each employer flexibility in deciding how to best assure 
that the employees in its workplace understand the message conveyed by 
the signs and labels.

4. Training

    Proper training is vital to assure that workers who remove or 
disturb asbestos-containing materials are aware of the hazards of 
asbestos exposure and understand the requirements of the standard that, 
if followed, will minimize such exposure. The standard's training 
provisions are designed to assure that each employee receives a degree 
of training appropriate to the nature of the asbestos-related tasks 
that employee performs.
    Employees who perform Class I asbestos removals must be given a 32-
hour training course equivalent to the asbestos abatement training 
required under the EPA Model Accreditation Plan. The 1994 standard 
required similar training for workers who engage in general Class II 
removals but required 8-hour training for workers who remove only a 
single generic type of Class II material, such as roofing or flooring 
material. The intent was to assure that those employees who were 
employed by asbestos abatement contractors and performed a wide range 
of asbestos abatement work would receive the full 32-hour training, 
while workers who worked for specialty contractors and performed 
limited asbestos removal work would receive 8-hour training that 
focused on the particular type of material they removed.
    The June 29, 1995 notice retained the requirement that workers who 
remove a single generic type of Class II building material receive 8-
hour training. However, OSHA determined that workers who remove 
asbestos-containing materials other than building materials, such as 
gaskets, do not necessarily require 8 hours of training. Accordingly, 
the standards were revised to specify the topics that the training for 
such workers had to cover rather than the duration of the training.
    In making these changes to the Class II training provisions, the 
requirement in paragraph (k)(9)(iii) for a 32-hour training course for 
those workers who engage in Class II removals as part of general 
asbestos abatement work was inadvertently deleted. This notice restores 
and clarifies that requirement. Paragraph (k)(9)(iii) now states that 
32-hour training is required when Class II operations require controls 
such as critical barriers (or equivalent isolation methods) or negative 
pressure enclosures. Such controls are required for those operations 
that present the greatest potential for high exposures, and the workers 
who perform such operations must thoroughly understand when and how 
such controls must be used. The training provisions are also being 
clarified to state that training for workers who engage in other Class 
II removals must include training in each category of material the 
employee removes and in each work practice and each removal method the 
employee uses. Similar performance-oriented language is also being 
added to the Class III training provision. By stating the training 
requirement in performance-oriented terms, the standard gives each 
employer flexibility in designing a training course suited to its 
operation while assuring that each employee receives training that 
covers all of the asbestos-related tasks that employee performs.
    As discussed above, all training must be conducted in a manner that 
is comprehensible to the employee. Therefore, any written or electronic 
media that is used in the training must be presented at a reading level 
that is appropriate for the workers being trained, and the employer 
must take reasonable steps to assure that employees who are not fluent 
in English understand the content of the training. A worker's ability 
to obtain a timely response to questions he or she may have about the 
content of the training is also a key to worker comprehension. 
Accordingly, while a training course may use written materials and 
electronic media such as videotapes or computer-based training, a 
knowledgeable person (such as a person who qualifies as a ``competent 
person'' for the particular type of asbestos work addressed in the 
training) must be available to answer questions during the training. 
Modern communication techniques permit effective questioning of a 
person who is not physically present in the room where the training is 
taking place, and the standards do not preclude reliance on such 
methods. However, regardless of whether an instructor is physically 
present during the training, the employer must assure that the 
employees have a full opportunity to have questions answered in a 
timely manner.
    OSHA has received several inquiries about the training required for 
a person to qualify as a ``competent person'' for roof removal work. 
Roof removal is Class II work, and paragraph (o)(4)(i) of the 
construction and shipyard standards generally requires a Class II 
competent person to receive a 40-hour course that meets the requirement 
of EPA's Model Accreditation Plan. However, paragraph (o)(4)(i) also 
permits an alternative course that is certified by the EPA or by a 
state and is equivalent in stringency, content, and length to the EPA 
Model Accreditation Plan course. Various training providers have 
developed ``competent person'' training courses that are specifically 
designed to train roof removal supervisors. These courses focus on roof 
removal work rather than asbestos removal methods that are used in 
indoor work and therefore require less training time than the EPA MAP 
course. Because these courses are shorter than the 40-hour MAP course, 
training providers that have developed such courses and state agencies 
whose approval has been sought have been uncertain as to whether 
roofing supervisors trained in such courses would qualify as 
``competent persons'' under the OSHA asbestos standards.
    It was OSHA's intent to assure that a competent person receives 
full and effective training in the type of asbestos jobs that the 
person supervises. For routine roof removal work, where the material is 
intact prior to removal, a well-designed training course that deals 
specifically with roof removal work will effectively train competent 
persons to supervise such jobs. However, where roofing material has 
deteriorated to the point where it is no longer ``intact'' within the 
meaning of the standards, removal of the material can result in 
excessive exposures, and the job should be supervised by a person who 
has been trained in the full range of asbestos abatement methods. 
Therefore, OSHA has interpreted paragraph (o)(4)(i) to require 40-hour 
training for competent persons who oversee roof removal work when the 
material being removed is non-intact prior to removal. For competent 
persons who supervise removals for which the roofing material is intact 
prior to removal, state-approved courses of shorter than 40-hour 
duration are permitted. When a powered roof cutter is used to remove 
built-up roofing, the force of the cutting blade produces dust that is 
non-intact even if the material is intact to begin with. However, for 
purpose of the competent person training provision, this would not be 
considered a non-intact removal that would require 40-hour training. 
Only if the material has deteriorated to the point where it is non-
intact prior to removal is 40-hour training required.

[[Page 43456]]

5. Medical Surveillance

    The 1994 construction and shipyard standards required medical 
surveillance ``for all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more 
days per year are engaged in Class I, II and III work or are exposed at 
or above the permissible exposure limit or excursion limit.'' The 
agency's intent was to count towards the medical surveillance 
requirement all of the days in which an employee performed either Class 
I or Class II or Class III work or, regardless of the type of work 
being done, was exposed over either the permissible exposure limit or 
excursion limit. The June 29, 1995 corrections notice modified this 
provision to require medical surveillance ``for all employees who for a 
combined total of 30 or more days per year are engaged in Class I, II 
and III work or are exposed at or above the permissible exposure limit 
or excursion limit for a combined 30 days or more per year.'' The 
addition of the second reference to 30 days or more per year was not 
intended to change the substantive meaning of the provision and has 
proven to be confusing. The provision is therefore being revised to 
return to the original wording.
    The June 29, 1995 corrections notice also provided that days in 
which an employee spends less than one hour performing Class II or III 
work and, in doing so, fully conforms to the work practices specified 
in the standard, need not be counted towards the medical surveillance 
requirement. This provision is being further modified to state that 
such days are excluded only if the material being removed or disturbed 
is intact. Removal or disturbance of non-intact material presents the 
potential for considerable exposure to asbestos fibers, and any day in 
which such work takes place should count towards the medical 
surveillance requirement. The provision is also being clarified by 
stating that the one hour time period includes the time spent on the 
entire removal operation, including cleanup.

6. One Waste-Bag Limitation for Class III Work

    Class III work includes maintenance work for which a small amount 
of ACM must be cut away to access mechanical or structural components 
of buildings. In order to qualify as Class III work (rather than Class 
I or Class II work), the amount cut away must be less than the amount 
that can be contained in a standard-sized glove bag or waste bag. 
Employers may not circumvent the requirements for Class I and Class II 
removals by overfilling a single glove bag or waste bag and treating 
the job as Class III. Material is only considered to be ``contained'' 
if the glove bag or waste bag is filled to the point where it can be 
sealed effectively and will not become opened inadvertently or broken 
during normal handling. To facilitate secure closure and avoid 
breakage, it is generally proper practice to fill a bag only \1/3\ to 
\1/2\ full.

7. Class IV Work

    As OSHA has explained previously, Class IV work must be related to 
and on the site of a construction job to be regulated by the Asbestos 
Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1101. 60 FR 33974. This 
distinguishes such ``clean-up'' work from housekeeping which is 
regulated by the Asbestos General Industry Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001.
    OSHA further wishes to clarify that ``clean-up'' performed as a 
Class IV activity does not include picking up and bagging asbestos 
debris/dust during Class I, II, or III work. Class I, II, and III work 
is subject to the requirement in paragraph (g)(1)(iii) of the 
construction and shipyard standards for prompt clean-up and disposal of 
asbestos-containing waste and debris. Therefore, the collection and 
bagging of dust and debris that results from Class I, II, or III work 
is considered a part of that class of work and must be done by 
employees trained to do such work. Class IV activities consist of 
clean-up work that takes place in an area after a Class I, II, or III 
job in that area has been completed. Although any asbestos-containing 
dust and debris should have been removed during the Class I, II, or III 
job, OSHA recognizes that some residual asbestos-containing dust or 
debris may be present after the Class I, II, or III job (including 
cleanup) has been completed. The Class IV classification under the 
construction and shipyard standards for further cleanup work in areas 
where Class I, II, or III work has taken place means that an asbestos-
trained ``competent person'' must evaluate the work before it is done 
to assure that it should not be classified under another category. The 
Class IV classification also means that the employees who perform the 
work must receive sufficient training to recognize the presence of ACM, 
understand the hazards associated with asbestos exposure, and know the 
appropriate work practices that must be followed to minimize the 
potential for asbestos exposure.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 1910, 1915, and 1926

    Asbestos, Occupational Safety and Health.

    This document was prepared under the direction of Joseph A. Dear, 
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. 
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 
20210.
    Accordingly, pursuant to sections 4, 6(b), (8)(c), and 8(g) of the 
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657); 
Sec. 107, Contract Work Hours and Safety Standard Act (Construction 
Safety Act, 40 U.S.C. 333); Sec. 41, Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act (33 U.S.C. 941); 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553; and 29 CFR Part 
1911; 29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915 and 1926 are amended as set forth below.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 19th day of August, 1996.
Joseph A. Dear,
Assistant Secretary Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

    OSHA hereby amends 29 CFR Parts 1910, 1915 and 1926 as follows:

PART 1910--OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS

    1. The authority citation of subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1910 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Secs. 6, 8 Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 
U.S.C. 655, 657: Secretary of Labor's Order 12-71 (36 FR 8754), 9-76 
(41 FR 25059), 9-83 [48 FR 35736] or 1-90 (55 FR 9033), as 
applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911.

    All of subpart Z issued under section 6(b) of the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act, except those substances which have exposure 
limits listed in Tables Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3 of 29 CFR 1910.1000. The 
latter were issued under section 6(a) [29 U.S.C. 655(a)].
    Section 1910.1000, Tables Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3 also issued under 5 
U.S.C. 553. Section 1910.1000, Tables Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3 not issued under 
29 CFR part 1911 except for the arsenic (organic compounds), benzene, 
and cotton dust listings.
    Section 1910.1001 also issued under section 107 of Contract Work 
Hours and Safety Standards Act, 40 U.S.C. 333.
    Section 1910.1002 not issued under 29 U.S.C. or 29 CFR part 1911; 
also issued under 5 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1910.1003 through 1910.1018 also issued under 29 CFR 653.
    Section 1910.1025 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653 and 5 U.S.C. 553.
    Section 1910.1028 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1910.1030 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1910.1043 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.
    Section 1910.1045 and 1910.1047 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.

[[Page 43457]]

    Section 1910.1048 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    Sections 1910.1200, 1910.1499 and 1910.1500 also issued under 5 
U.S.C. 553.
    Section 1910.1450 is also issued under sec. 6(b), 8(c) and 8(g)(2), 
Pub. L. 91-596, 84 Stat. 1593, 1599, 1600; 29 U.S.C. 655, 657.
    2. In Sec. 1910.1001, paragraph (j)(3)(v) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1910.1001  Asbestos.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (3) * * *
    (v) At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees 
reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, 
the building owner shall post signs which identify the material which 
is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if 
followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The 
employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come 
in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure 
employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, 
pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
* * * * *

PART 1915--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation of 29 CFR part 1915 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: Sec. 41, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation 
Act (33 U.S.C. 941); secs. 4, 6, 8, Occupational Safety and Health 
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 653, 655, 657); sec. 4 of the Administrative 
Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553); Secretary of Labor's Order No. 12-71 
(36 FR 8754), 8-76 (41 FR 35736) or 1-90 (55 FR 9033), as 
applicable; 29 CFR part 1911.

    2. In Sec. 1915.1001, paragraph (h)(2)(iii) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1915.1001  Asbestos.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii)(A) The employer shall provide a tight fitting powered, air-
purifying respirator in lieu of any negative-pressure respirator 
specified in Table 1 whenever:
    (1) an employee chooses to use this type of respirator; and
    (2) this respirator will provide adequate protection to the 
employee.
    (B) The employer shall inform any employee required to wear a 
respirator under this paragraph that the employee may require the 
employer to provide a powered, air-purifying respirator in lieu of a 
negative pressure respirator.
Table 1 * * *
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 1915.1001, paragraph (k)(6) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (6) At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees 
reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, 
the building/vessel owner shall post signs which identify the material 
which is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, 
if followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. 
The employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who 
come in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure 
employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, 
pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
* * * * *
    4. In Sec. 1915.1001, paragraph (k)(8)(vii) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (8) * * *
    (vii) When a building/vessel owner or employer identifies 
previously installed PACM and/or ACM, labels or signs shall be affixed 
or posted so that employees will be notified of what materials contain 
PACM and/or ACM. The employer shall attach such labels in areas where 
they will clearly be noticed by employees who are likely to be exposed, 
such as at the entrance to mechanical room/areas. Signs required by 
paragraph (k)(6) of this section may be posted in lieu of labels so 
long as they contain information required for labelling. The employer 
shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come in 
contact with these signs or labels can comprehend them. Means to ensure 
employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, 
pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec. 1915.1001, paragraphs (k)(9)(iii), (k)(9)(iv), and 
(k)(9)(v) are revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (9) * * *
    (iii) Training for Class I operations and for Class II operations 
that require the use of critical barriers (or equivalent isolation 
methods) and/or negative pressure enclosures under this section shall 
be the equivalent in curriculum, training method and length to the EPA 
Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos abatement workers training (40 
CFR part 763, subpart E, appendix C).
    (iv) Training for other Class II work.
    (A) For work with asbestos containing roofing materials, flooring 
materials, siding materials, ceiling tiles, or transite panels, 
training shall include at a minimum all the elements included in 
paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this section and in addition, the specific 
work practices and engineering controls set forth in paragraph (g) of 
this section which specifically relate to that category. Such course 
shall include ``hands-on'' training and shall take at least 8 hours.
    (B) An employee who works with more than one of the categories of 
material specified in paragraph (k)(9)(iv)(A) of this section shall 
receive training in the work practices applicable to each category of 
material that the employee removes and each removal method that the 
employee uses.
    (C) For Class II operations not involving the categories of 
material specified in paragraph (k)(9)(iv)(A) of this section, training 
shall be provided which shall include at a minimum all the elements 
included in paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this section and in addition, the 
specific work practices and engineering controls set forth in paragraph 
(g) of this section which specifically relate to the category of 
material being removed, and shall include ``hands-on'' training in the 
work practices applicable to each category of material that the 
employee removes and each removal method that the employee uses.
    (v) Training for Class III employees shall be consistent with EPA 
requirements for training of local education agency maintenance and 
custodial staff as set forth at 40 CFR 763.92(a)(2). Such a course 
shall also include ``hands-on'' training and shall take at least 16 
hours. Exception: For Class III operations for which the competent 
person determines that the EPA curriculum does not adequately cover the 
training needed to perform that activity, training shall include as a 
minimum all the elements included in paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this 
section and in addition, the specific work practices and engineering 
controls set forth in paragraph (g) of this section which specifically 
relate to that activity, and shall include ``hands-on'' training in the 
work practices applicable to each category of material that the 
employee disturbs.
* * * * *
    6. In Sec. 1915.1001, paragraph (m)(1)(i)(A) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *

[[Page 43458]]

    (A) The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for 
all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more days per year are 
engaged in Class I, II and III work or are exposed at or above a 
permissible exposure limit. For purposes of this paragraph, any day in 
which a worker engages in Class II or Class III operations or a 
combination thereof on intact material for one hour or less (taking 
into account the entire time spent on the removal operation, including 
cleanup) and, while doing so, adheres fully to the work practices 
specified in this standard, shall not be counted.
* * * * *

PART 1926--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation of subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1926 
continues to read as follows:

    Authority: Sections 6 and 8, Occupational Safety and Health Act, 
29 U.S.C. 655, 657; Secretary of Labor's Orders Nos. 12-71 (36 FR 
8754), 8-76 (41 FR 25059), 9-83 (48 FR 35736) or 1-90 (55 FR 9033) 
as applicable; and 29 CFR part 1911.

    Section 1926.1102 not issued under 29 U.S.C. 655 or 29 CFR part 
1911; also issued under 5 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1926.1103 through 1926.1118 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 
6653.
    Section 1926.1128 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1926.1145 and 1926.1147 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    Section 1926.1148 also issued under 29 U.S.C. 653.
    2. In Sec. 1926.1101, paragraph (h)(2)(iii) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 1926.1101  Asbestos.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iii)(A) The employer shall provide a tight fitting powered, air-
purifying respirator in lieu of any negative-pressure respirator 
specified in Table 1 whenever:
    (1) An employee chooses to use this type of respirator; and
    (2) This respirator will provide adequate protection to the 
employee.
    (B) The employer shall inform any employee required to wear a 
respirator under this paragraph that the employee may require the 
employer to provide a powered, air-purifying respirator in lieu of a 
negative pressure respirator.
Table 1 * * *
* * * * *
    3. In Sec. 1926.1101, paragraph (k)(6) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (6) At the entrance to mechanical rooms/areas in which employees 
reasonably can be expected to enter and which contain ACM and/or PACM, 
the building owner shall post signs which identify the material which 
is present, its location, and appropriate work practices which, if 
followed, will ensure that ACM and/or PACM will not be disturbed. The 
employer shall ensure, to the extent feasible, that employees who come 
in contact with these signs can comprehend them. Means to ensure 
employee comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, 
pictographs, graphics, and awareness training.
* * * * *
    4. In Sec. 1926.1101, paragraph (k)(8)(vii) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (8) * * *
    (vii) When a building owner or employer identifies previously 
installed PACM and/or ACM, labels or signs shall be affixed or posted 
so that employees will be notified of what materials contain PACM and/
or ACM. The employer shall attach such labels in areas where they will 
clearly be noticed by employees who are likely to be exposed, such as 
at the entrance to mechanical room/areas. Signs required by paragraph 
(k)(6) of this section may be posted in lieu of labels so long as they 
contain information required for labelling. The employer shall ensure, 
to the extent feasible, that employees who come in contact with these 
signs or labels can comprehend them. Means to ensure employee 
comprehension may include the use of foreign languages, pictographs, 
graphics, and awareness training.
* * * * *
    5. In Sec. 1926.1101, paragraphs (k)(9)(iii), (k)(9)(iv), and 
(k)(9)(v) are revised to read as follows:
* * * * *
    (k) * * *
    (9) * * *
    (iii) Training for Class I operations and for Class II operations 
that require the use of critical barriers (or equivalent isolation 
methods) and/or negative pressure enclosures under this section shall 
be the equivalent in curriculum, training method and length to the EPA 
Model Accreditation Plan (MAP) asbestos abatement workers training (40 
CFR Part 763, subpart E, appendix C).
    (iv) Training for other Class II work.
    (A) For work with asbestos containing roofing materials, flooring 
materials, siding materials, ceiling tiles, or transite panels, 
training shall include at a minimum all the elements included in 
paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this section and in addition, the specific 
work practices and engineering controls set forth in paragraph (g) of 
this section which specifically relate to that category. Such course 
shall include ``hands-on'' training and shall take at least 8 hours.
    (B) An employee who works with more than one of the categories of 
material specified in paragraph (k)(9)(iv)(A) of this section shall 
receive training in the work practices applicable to each category of 
material that the employee removes and each removal method that the 
employee uses.
    (C) For Class II operations not involving the categories of 
material specified in paragraph (k)(9)(iv)(A) of this section, training 
shall be provided which shall include at a minimum all the elements 
included in paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this section and in addition, the 
specific work practices and engineering controls set forth in paragraph 
(g) of this section which specifically relate to the category of 
material being removed, and shall include ``hands-on'' training in the 
work practices applicable to each category of material that the 
employee removes and each removal method that the employee uses.
    (v) Training for Class III employees shall be consistent with EPA 
requirements for training of local education agency maintenance and 
custodial staff as set forth at 40 CFR 763.92(a)(2). Such a course 
shall also include ``hands-on'' training and shall take at least 16 
hours. Exception: For Class III operations for which the competent 
person determines that the EPA curriculum does not adequately cover the 
training needed to perform that activity, training shall include as a 
minimum all the elements included in paragraph (k)(9)(viii) of this 
section and in addition, the specific work practices and engineering 
controls set forth in paragraph (g) of this section which specifically 
relate to that activity, and shall include ``hands-on'' training in the 
work practices applicable to each category of material that the 
employee disturbs.
* * * * *
    6. In Sec. 1926.1101, paragraph (m)(1)(i)(A) is revised to read as 
follows:
* * * * *
    (m) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (i) * * *
    (A) The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for 
all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more days per year are 
engaged in Class I, II and III work or are exposed at or above a 
permissible exposure limit.

[[Page 43459]]

For purposes of this paragraph, any day in which a worker engages in 
Class II or Class III operations or a combination thereof on intact 
material for one hour or less (taking into account the entire time 
spent on the removal operation, including cleanup) and, while doing so, 
adheres fully to the work practices specified in this standard, shall 
not be counted.

[FR Doc. 96-21519 Filed 8-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-26-P