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Equivalent courses for asbestos competent-person training

Summary OSHA told regional offices what training counted as an equivalent course for the competent person supervising asbestos enclosure work. It identified EPA-accredited or approved state contractor/supervisor courses as equivalent under the then-current rule. The attached EPA course list is a separate historical publication. OSHA now archives the memorandum as potentially outdated.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1988-04-05
Date issued
April 5, 1988
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA archives this memorandum and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 10, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Asbestos Training
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA archives this memorandum and says it may no longer represent OSHA policy. It may no longer reflect the agency's current position. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.
About this page: The full text below is the official document from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Ezel adds the plain-English summary and tracks the document's status. The official source linked on this page is authoritative for any reliance.

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

April 5, 1988

MEMORANDUM FOR: Regional Administrators

THROUGH: Leo J. Carey, Director
Office of Field Programs

FROM: Thomas J. Shepich, Director
Directorate of Compliance Programs

SUBJECT: Approved Courses for Competent Person Training Under the Asbestos Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.58

The asbestos standard for the construction industry in paragraph 29 CFR 1926.58(e)(6), requires the employer to designate a competent person to supervise the negative pressure enclosure which is mandated for asbestos removal, demolition and renovation operations. The competent person is required to be trained in all aspects of asbestos abatement. This training is required to be obtained in a comprehensive course, such as an EPA Asbestos Training Center course, or an equivalent course.

Under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA), the EPA has established procedures for the accreditation of asbestos training courses. As a result, OSHA has defined "an equivalent course" as an asbestos abatement Contractor/Supervisor course which has been accredited by the EPA or by a state with an approved Contractor Accreditation Program in accordance with 49 CFR Part 763.

Enclosed for your information is the EPA's most recent publication which lists the approved courses. If you have any questions regarding this matter, contact Joseph Hopkins of my staff at FTS 523-8036.

[Separate EPA Federal Register course-approval notice reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

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