OSHA Clarifies Application of Asbestos Standard to Repair of Flood-Damaged Wallboard

OSHA has issued a new letter of interpretation in response to a question about the agency’s asbestos standard from a Georgia-based contractor involved in the repair of a residence damaged by flooding. According to OSHA’s letter, the contractor was concerned about “aggressive sanding” of joint compound containing more than 1 percent asbestos during the abutment of new wallboard to existing wallboard. 

OSHA’s letter states that this work would qualify as Class II or III under the asbestos standard. The standard defines Class II as the removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM) that is neither part of a thermal insulation system nor “surfacing material” applied by spraying or troweling. OSHA considers joint compound to be finishing material, not surfacing material. Class III refers to work that is likely to disturb ACM.

“Before any [Class III] asbestos activity takes place, workers would need to be appropriately trained, and the competent person who must be involved would need specialized training pursuant to the EPA requirements referenced in OSHA's standard,” the letter states.

OSHA’s letter, which is signed by Erin P. Gilmore, acting director of the agency’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, is dated May 7 but only recently became available on the agency’s website. Visitors can also search the OSHA’s letters of interpretation. For more information, refer to the asbestos standard.