Asbestos

Overview

Exposure to asbestos can cause disabling and fatal diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancer. The symptoms of these diseases generally do not appear for 20 years or more after exposure.

Asbestos fibers enter the body by inhaling or ingesting airborne particles that become embedded in the tissues of the respiratory or digestive systems. Most worker exposures occur during the removal of asbestos and the renovation and maintenance of buildings and structures that contain asbestos.

All available content

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Asbestos - Removal, Repair, and Maintenance
  Covers what construction employers need to know about asbestos removal and maintenance based on Oregon OSHA's asbestos standard for the construction industry: 1926.1101.
  English Order printed copy 06/17/2022
- Asbestos exposures - What building owners need to know
  Covers Oregon OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry, 1910.1001, and construction, 1926.1101. Also includes information about asbestos surveys, labels/signs, and awareness training.
  English Order printed copy 01/25/2024
Checklists
- Environmental controls
  Checklist for environmental controls.
  English
Fact sheets
- Asbestos
  An overview of health hazards associated with asbestos. Briefly describes work classes for asbestos removal, repair and maintenance, and custodial activities. Includes answers to frequently asked questions.
  English 05/16/2007
- Asbestos training
  Because asbestos can be so hazardous, employees working with or around asbestos must be trained. The level of training depends on the type of work they perform.
  English 11/21/2008
Hazard alerts
- Asbestos - Automotive brake and clutch repair work
  Hazard alert for employees and employers in the automotive brake and clutch repair industry, there is potential exposure to asbestos in automotive brakes and clutches on older vehicles.
  English 01/09/2023
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Rules and rule-related

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision Z, 1910.1001, Asbestos
  5-2012 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances
  Administrative Order 11-2021 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision Z, Chemical/Toxins
  Administrative Order 4-2022 Word version
Interpretations
- Asbestos bulk sampling
  06/16/1998
- Asbestos in construction
  06/21/1999
Program Directives
- Asbestos
  Purpose: This instruction establishes policies and provides clarification to ensure uniform enforcement of the Occupational Exposure to Asbestos Standards, 29 CFR 1910.1001, 1926.1101, and 1915.1001.
  A-213 05/27/2014
- Asbestos Contacts
  Purpose: To direct inquiries concerning asbestos to proper governmental agencies.
  A-161 02/13/2013
- Medical Examinations: Employee Refusal to Have Required Medical Examination or Annual Audiogram
  Purpose: To instruct compliance officers on action to be taken if an employee refuses to have a required medical examination or annual audiogram.
  A-058 05/15/2000

Video Resources

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Asbestos
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Additional Resources

Department of Environmental Quality - Asbestos abatement rules

Highlights

Many people believe that all products that contain asbestos are banned for use in the U.S. That is not true. Learn more about asbestos and how to protect workers in Oregon OSHA’s Asbestos – Rules of abatement