Glove box system for asbestos pipe insulation removal

April 4, 1990
Mr. Rick Howell
Universal Insulation, Inc.
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Howell:
This is in response to your letter of March 7, requesting an official opinion as to whether The Glove Box manufactured by Pro/Control Products, Inc., which you propose to use for the removal of asbestos-containing pipe insulation, meets the intent of the occupational safety and health requirements at [29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(5)(iv)].
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not approve or certify equipment or processes for use in the workplace. However, when we are provided with adequate information concerning a control method, we do offer an opinion regarding its effectiveness in achieving compliance with our requirements for employee safety and health. Therefore, this letter is not an approval or a certification of The Glove Box, but is an interpretation of our standards as they apply to the use of this system in United States workplaces.
It appears that the use of your system meets the intent of [29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(5)(iv)] when all other provisions of the asbestos standard are met, such as air monitoring, establishment of a regulated area, designation of a competent person, etc. However, please be aware that the effectiveness of your system can only be determined by the health and safety professional observing it in actual use under specific circumstances.
We appreciate your interest in the safety and health of workers. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us again.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Shepich Director
[Directorate of Science, Technology, and Medicine]
[Corrected 6/2/2005]