Class I - IV Asbestos Work

For employees performing other Class I asbestos work and Class II and III asbestos work where exposures exceed a PEL or where a negative exposure assessment has not been produced, the requirements are as follows:

• Employers must establish an equipment room or area adjacent to the regulated area for the decontamination of employees and their equipment.
• Workers must cover area with an impermeable drop cloth on the floor or horizontal work surface and must be large enough to accommodate equipment cleaning and PPE removal without spreading contamination beyond the area.
• Workers must clean area with a HEPA vacuum before removing work clothing.
• Workers must clean all equipment and surfaces of containers filled with ACM before removal.
• Employers must ensure employees enter and exit the regulated area through the equipment room or area.

Employees performing Class IV work (cleaning up dust, waste, and debris) must observe the hygiene practices required of the workers performing a Class I, II, or III activity if such an activity is still in progress. Workers cleaning up asbestos-containing surfacing material or thermal system insulation debris from a Class I or III activity must be provided decontamination facilities required for Class I work involving less than 25 linear or 10 square feet of material, or for Class III work where exposure exceeds a permissible exposure limit or no negative exposure assessment exists.

Please note, that for any class of asbestos work, employers must ensure that workers do not smoke in any work area with asbestos exposure.

To learn more about Construction Asbestos Safety visit our Construction Asbestos Safety Online Training web page.