HEPA vacuum use with asbestos glovebags

May 15, 1997

Robert W. Weeks, Jr., Ph.D.
Director, FSI
Field Sciences Institute
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Weeks:

This is in response to your letter of March 28, addressed to the former Director of the Office of Health Compliance Assistance, Ms. Ruth McCully, concerning glove bag methods for control of exposure to airborne asbestos.

You requested that we clarify 29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(5)(B)(iii). You noted that this regulation states that negative pressure glove bag systems shall attach HEPA vacuum systems or other devices to prevent collapse during removal. You ask if there has been a modification or clarification of this regulation to allow the use of glove bags without attaching a HEPA vacuum system.

Please be advised that the control method given at 29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(5)(ii) is a glove bag procedure that does not require the attachment of a HEPA vacuum system. The regulation you specifically mentioned in your letter, 29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(5)(iii) is a procedure for using a negative pressure glove bag system. OSHA still requires that glove bag systems specifically designed to be used under negative pressure have a HEPA vacuum system attached. However, a glove bag system not designed to be used under a vacuum can be operated without a HEPA vacuum system attached.

We appreciate the opportunity to clarify this matter for you. If you have any additional questions, please call Gail Brinkerhoff at (202) 219-7380.

Sincerely,
Stephen Mallinger, Acting Director
Office of Health Compliance Assistance

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