Wet handling and disposal for demolition materials below one percent asbestos

October 27, 2003

JoAnn Hernandez, Chief
Base Infrastructure Flight
37 Contracting Squadron
[Recipient address omitted]

Dear Ms. Hernandez:

Thank you for your March 20 letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Directorate of Enforcement Programs. You asked for an authoritative interpretation of 29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(1) in OSHA's Construction Asbestos Standard as it applies to demolition operations involving material containing \<1% asbestos. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated within your original correspondence. Your paraphrased question and our reply are below.

Question: Do the wet handling, prompt clean up, and disposal requirements set forth in 29 CFR 1926.1101(g)(1)(ii) and (iii) apply to demolition operations involving material containing \<1% asbestos?

Reply: Yes, those requirements do apply to demolition operations involving material containing \<1% asbestos.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Health Enforcement at 202-693-2190.

Sincerely,

Richard E. Fairfax, Director
Directorate of Enforcement Programs