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Asbestos wallboard and joint compound as Class II work

Summary A contractor asked whether removal of wallboard and asbestos-containing joint compound was Class I or Class II work under the construction asbestos standard. OSHA answered that the described removal was Class II work. OSHA archives the letter and warns it may no longer state current policy.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1996-03-28
Date issued
March 28, 1996
Status
Archived by the agency
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1926 Asbestos
Source
View the official document

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The current status of this document is unclear
OSHA labels this an archive document and warns that it may no longer represent OSHA policy.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 Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance, and verify current law before relying on anything here.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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

March 28, 1996

Robert F. Duermit, Vice President
Colfax Corporation
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Duermit:

Thank you for your letter of February 22, in which you requested an interpretation as to what class of work under the Asbestos Standard for Construction covers the removal of wallboard and joint compounds.

Per your phone conversation with Doug Ray of my staff, this is to confirm that the removal of wallboard and joint compounds is considered by OSHA to be Class II work. As you stated correctly in your letter, a description of Class II work can be found in the Federal Register (Vol. 59, No. 153) on page 40999, and in the OSHA Instruction, CPL 2-2.63, on page C-16.

Should you have additional questions regarding this matter, please contact Doug Ray of my staff at (202) 219-8036.

Sincerely,
Ruth McCully, Director
Office of Health Compliance Assistance

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]

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