Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Subpart Z provides requirements relating to employee exposures to air contaminants and the following health hazards: asbestos, coal tar pitch volatiles, 13 carcinogens (e.g., 4-Nitrobiphenyl, alpha-Naphthylamine, chloromethyl ether, 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (and its salts), bis-Chloromethyl ether, beta-Naphthylamine, Benzidine, 4-Aminodiphenyl, Ethyleneimine, beta-Propiolactone, 2-Acetylaminofluorene, 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene, and N-Nitrosodimethylamine), vinyl chloride, inorganic arsenic, beryllium, lead, chromium (VI), cadmium, benzene, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, methylinedianiline, respirable crystalline silica, ethylene oxide, methylene chloride, formaldehyde, bloodborne pathogens, acrylonitrile, hazard communication, and chemical hazards in laboratories. It also provides requirements pertaining to employee medical and exposure records.

To determine if Subpart Z applies to you, go to Does "Subpart Z - Toxic and Hazardous Substances" Apply to You?

Special Requirements

Tab/Accordion Items

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for air contaminants.

Special Requirements: Exposures, exposure limit, ceiling limit, formula, time weighted average, monitoring, determine

1915.1000(a)(1) - Substances with limits preceded by "C"-Ceiling values. An employee's exposure to any substance in Subpart Z - Shipyards, the exposure limit of which is preceded by a "C," shall at no time exceed the exposure limit given for that substance. If instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, then the ceiling shall be assessed as a 15-minute time weighted average exposure which shall not be exceeded at any time over a working day.

1915.1000(a)(2) - Other Substances-8-hour Time Weighted Averages. An employee's exposure to any substance in Subpart Z - Shipyards, the exposure limit of which is not preceded by a "C," shall not exceed the 8-hour Time Weighted Average given for that substance in any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour work week.

1915.1000(d) - Computation formula. The computation formula which shall apply to employee exposure to more than one substance for which 8-hour time weighted averages are listed in Subpart Z of 29 CFR part 1915 in order to determine whether an employee is exposed over the regulatory limit is as follows: [Reference paragraph (d)(1) - (2)].

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for asbestos.

Special Requirements: Permissible exposure limits, excursion limit, sampling, determined/ation, method, time-weighted average, regulated area, inform, measures, qualified person, exposure assessment, supervisory authority, supervisor/supervise, notification, competent person, course completion, approved, respirators, authorized persons, demarcate, signs, notification, affected employee, monitoring results, receipt, notify, observation, PPE, respirators, duties, respirator program, medical examinations, medical surveillance, monitoring, in writing, posting results, engineering controls, work practices, safety and health procedures, labeled/labels, inform, qualified person, inspection, hygiene facilities, tests, communication, hazard communication program, safety data sheets, trained/training, materials, information, post signs, fitting instructions, procedures, industrial hygienist, duties, self-help smoking cessation program materials (written), training program, medical surveillance program, consultations, written opinion, physician, statement, recordkeeping, objective data, demonstrates, instruct, records, decontamination, references other standards

1915.1001(c) - Permissible exposure limits (PELS).

1915.1001(c)(1) - Time-weighted average limit (TWA). The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 0.1 fiber per cubic centimeter of air as an eight (8) hour time-weighted average (TWA), as determined by the method prescribed in Appendix A to this section, or by an equivalent method.

1915.1001(c)(2) - Excursion limit. The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of asbestos in excess of 1.0 fiber per cubic centimeter of air (1 f/cc) as averaged over a sampling period of thirty (30) minutes, as determined by the method prescribed in Appendix A to this section, or by an equivalent method.

1915.1001(d) - Multi-employer worksites.

1915.1001(d)(1) - On multi-employer worksites, an employer performing work requiring the establishment of a regulated area shall inform other employers on the site of the nature of the employer's work with asbestos and/or PACM, of the existence of and requirements pertaining to regulated areas, and the measures taken to ensure that employees of such other employers are not exposed to asbestos.

1915.1001(d)(4) - All employers of employees working adjacent to regulated areas established by another employer on a multi-employer worksite shall take steps on a daily basis to ascertain the integrity of the enclosure and/or the effectiveness of the control method relied on by the primary asbestos contractor to assure that asbestos fibers do not migrate to such adjacent areas.

1915.1001(d)(5) - All general contractors on a shipyard project which includes work covered by this standard shall be deemed to exercise general supervisory authority over the work covered by this standard, even though the general contractor is not qualified to serve as the asbestos "qualified person" as defined by paragraph (b) of this section. As supervisor of the entire project, the general contractor shall ascertain whether the asbestos contractor is in compliance with this standard, and shall require such contractor to come into compliance with this standard when necessary.

1915.1001(e) - Regulated areas. [Reference paragraph (e)(1) - (6)].

1915.1001(e)(2) - Demarcation. The regulated area shall be demarcated in any manner that minimizes the number of persons within the area and protects persons outside the area from exposure to airborne asbestos. Where critical barriers or negative pressure enclosures are used, they may demarcate the regulated area. Signs shall be provided and displayed pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (k)(7) of this section.

1915.1001(e)(3) - Access. Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons and to persons authorized by the Act or regulations issued pursuant thereto.

1915.1001(e)(4) - Respirators. All persons entering a regulated area where employees are required pursuant to paragraph (h)(1) of this section to wear respirators shall be supplied with a respirator selected in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section.
1915.1001(e)(6) - Qualified persons. The employer shall ensure that all asbestos work performed within regulated areas is supervised by a qualified person, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section. The duties of the qualified person are set out in paragraph (o) of this section.

1915.1001(f) - Exposure assessments and monitoring. [Reference paragraph (f)(1) - (6)].

1915.1001(f)(5) - Employee notification of monitoring results. The employer must, as soon as possible but no later than 5 days after the receipt of the results of any monitoring performed under this section, notify each affected employee of these results either individually in writing or by posting the results in an appropriate location that is accessible to employees.
1915.1001(f)(6)(ii) - When observation of the monitoring of employee exposure to asbestos requires entry into an area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the observer shall be provided with and be required to use such clothing and equipment and shall comply with all other applicable safety and health procedures.

1915.1001(g) - Methods of compliance. [Reference paragraph (g)(1) - (12)].

1915.1001(g)(1) - Engineering controls and work practices for all operations covered by this section. The employer shall use the following engineering controls and work practices in all operations covered by this section, regardless of the levels of exposure: [Reference paragraph (g)(1)(i) - (iii)].

1915.1001(h) - Respiratory protection. [Reference paragraph (h)(1) - (3)].

1915.1001(h)(1) - General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complies with the requirements of this paragraph. Respirators must be used in the following circumstances:
1915.1001(h)(2)(i) - Employers must select, and provide to employees at no cost, the appropriate respirators specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134 - respiratory protection; however, employers must not select or use filtering facepiece respirators for use against asbestos fibers.

1915.1001(h)(3) - Respirator program.
- 1915.1001(h)(3)(i) - When respiratory protection is used, the employer shall institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(b) through (d) (except paragraph (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m) which covers each employee required by this section to use a respirator.

1915.1001(i) - Protective clothing. [Reference paragraph (i)(1) - (4)].

1915.1001(i)(2)(ii) - Any employer who gives contaminated clothing to another person for laundering shall inform such person of the requirement in paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this section to effectively prevent the release of airborne asbestos in excess of the TWA excursion limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.

1915.1001(i)(3) - The employer shall ensure that contaminated clothing is transported in sealed impermeable bags, or other closed, impermeable containers, and labeled in accordance with paragraph (k) of this section.

1915.1001(i)(4) - Inspection of protective clothing.
- 1915.1001(i)(4)(i) - The qualified person shall examine worksuits worn by employees at least once per workshift for rips or tears that may occur during the performance of work.

1915.1001(j) - Hygiene facilities and practices for employees. [Reference paragraph (j)(1) - (4)].

1915.1001(j)(1)(i) - Decontamination areas. For all Class I jobs involving over 25 linear or 10 square feet of TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM, the employer shall establish a decontamination area that is adjacent and connected to the regulated area for the decontamination of such employees. The decontamination area shall consist of an equipment room, shower area, and clean room in series. The employer shall ensure that employees enter and exit the regulated area through the decontamination area.
- 1915.1001(j)(1)(i)(B) - Shower area. Shower facilities shall be provided which comply with 29 CFR 1910.141(d)(3) - sanitation, unless the employer can demonstrate that they are not feasible. The showers shall be adjacent both to the equipment room and the clean room, unless the employer can demonstrate that this location is not feasible. Where the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to locate the shower between the equipment room and the clean room, or where the work is performed outdoors, or when the work involving asbestos exposure takes place on board a ship, the employers shall ensure that employees:
- 1915.1001(j)(1)(i)(C) - Clean change room. The clean room shall be equipped with a locker or appropriate storage container for each employee's use. When the employer can demonstrate that it is not feasible to provide a clean change area adjacent to the work area, or where the work is performed outdoors, or when the work takes place aboard a ship, the employer may permit employees engaged in Class I asbestos jobs to clean their protective clothing with a portable HEPA-equipped vacuum before such employees leave the regulated area. Following showering, such employees however must then change into street clothing in clean change areas provided by the employer which otherwise meet the requirements of this section.

1915.1001(j)(1)(ii) - Decontamination area entry procedures. The employer shall ensure that employees: [Reference paragraph (j)(1)(ii)(A) - (D)].

1915.1001(j)(1)(iii) - Decontamination area exit procedures. The employer shall ensure that: [Reference paragraph (j)(1)(iii)(A) - (E)].

1915.1001(k) - Communication of hazards. [Reference paragraph (k)(1) - (10)].

1915.1001(k)(2) - Duties of building/vessel and facility owners. [Reference paragraph (k)(2)(i) - (ii)].
- 1915.1001(k)(2)(ii) - Building/vessel and/or facility owners shall notify the following persons of the presence, location and quantity of ACM or PACM, at work sites in their buildings/facilities/vessels. Notification either shall be in writing or shall consist of a personal communication between the owner and the person to whom notification must be given or their authorized representatives: [Reference paragraph (k)(2)(ii)(A) - (D)].
1915.1001(k)(3) - Duties of employers whose employees perform work subject to this standard in or adjacent to areas containing ACM and PACM. Building/vessel and facility owners whose employees perform such work shall comply with these provisions to the extent applicable. [Reference paragraph (k)(3)(i) - (iii)].
1915.1001(k)(5)(ii) - An employer or owner may demonstrate that PACM does not contain more than 1% asbestos by the following: [Reference paragraph (k)(5)(ii)(A) - (B)].

1915.1001(k)(7) - Hazard communication.
- 1915.1001(k)(7)(i) - Labels shall be affixed to all products containing asbestos and to all containers containing such products, including waste containers. Where feasible, installed asbestos products shall contain a visible label.
- 1915.1001(k)(7)(ii) - General. The employer shall include asbestos in the program established to comply with the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) (§ 1910.1200). The employer shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of asbestos and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of the HCS and paragraph (k)(9) of this section. The employer shall ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer and lung effects.
- 1915.1001(k)(7)(iii) - Labels. [Reference paragraph (k)(7)(iii)(A) - (B)].
  - 1915.1001(k)(7)(iii)(A) - The employer shall ensure that labels of bags or containers of protective clothing and equipment, scrap, waste, and debris containing asbestos fibers bear the following information:

1915.1001(k)(8) - Signs.
- 1915.1001(k)(8)(i) - Warning signs that demarcate the regulated area shall be provided and displayed at each location where a regulated area is required to be established by paragraph (e) of this section. Signs shall be posted at such a distance from such a location that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before entering the area marked by the signs. [Reference paragraph (k)(8)(i) - (vii)].

1915.1001(k)(9) - Employee information and training. [Reference paragraph (k)(9)(i) - (viii)].
- 1915.1001(k)(9)(i) - The employer shall train each employee who is likely to be exposed in excess of a PEL and each employee who performs Class I through IV asbestos operations in accordance with the requirements of this section. Training shall be provided at no cost to the employee. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.
1915.1001(k)(10) - Access to training materials.
- 1915.1001(k)(10)(i) - The employer shall make readily available to affected employees without cost, written materials relating to the employee training program, including a copy of this regulation.
- 1915.1001(k)(10)(ii) - The employer shall provide to the Assistant Secretary and the Director, upon request, all information and training materials relating to the employee information and training program.
- 1915.1001(k)(10)(iii) - The employer shall inform all employees concerning the availability of self-help smoking cessation program material. Upon employee request, the employer shall distribute such material, consisting of NIH Publication No, 89–1647, or equivalent self-help material, which is approved or published by a public health organization listed in appendix J to this section.

1915.1001(l) - Housekeeping. [Reference paragraph (l)(1) - (4)].

1915.1001(m) - Medical surveillance. [Reference paragraph (m)(1) - (4)].

1915.1001(m)(1)(i)(A) - The employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who for a combined total of 30 or more days per year are engaged in Class I, II and III work or are exposed at or above a permissible exposure limit. For purposes of this paragraph, any day in which a worker engages in Class II or Class III operations or a combination thereof on intact material for one hour or less (taking into account the entire time spent on the removal operation, including cleanup) and, while doing so, adheres fully to the work practices specified in this standard, shall not be counted.
1915.1001(m)(1)(ii)(B) - Persons other than such licensed physicians who administer the pulmonary function testing required by this section shall complete a training course in spirometry sponsored by an appropriate academic or professional institution.
1915.1001(m)(2) - Medical examinations and consultations. [Reference paragraph (m)(2)(i) - (ii)].
1915.1001(m)(3) - Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the following information to the examining physician: [Reference paragraph (m)(3)(i) - (v)].
1915.1001(m)(4) - Physician's written opinion. [Reference paragraph (m)(4)(i) - (iii)].

1915.1001(n) - Recordkeeping. [Reference paragraph (n)(1) - (8)].

1915.1001(n)(2) - Exposure measurements.
- 1915.1001(n)(2)(iii) - The employer shall maintain this record for at least thirty (30) years, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 - access to employee exposure and medical records.
1915.1001(n)(3)(i) - The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate record for each employee subject to medical surveillance by paragraph (m) of this section, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 - access to employee exposure and medical records.
1915.1001(n)(4) - Training records. The employer shall maintain all employee training records for one (1) year beyond the last date of employment by that employer.
1915.1001(n)(6)(i) - Where the building/vessel owner has communicated and received information concerning the identity, location and quantity of ACM and PACM, written records of such notifications and their content shall be maintained by the owner for the duration of ownership and shall be transferred to successive owners of such buildings/facilities/vessels.
1915.1001(n)(7)(ii) - The employer, upon request, shall make any exposure records required by paragraphs (f) and (n) of this section available for examination and copying to affected employees, former employees, designated representatives, and the Assistant Secretary, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020(a) through (e) and (g) through (i).
1915.1001(n)(7)(iii) - The employer, upon request, shall make employee medical records required by paragraphs (m) and (n) of this section available for examination and copying to the subject employee, anyone having the specific written consent of the subject employee, and the Assistant Secretary, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
1915.1001(n)(8) - Transfer of records. The employer shall comply with the requirements concerning transfer of records set forth in 29 CFR 1910.1020(h).

1915.1001(o) - Qualified person. [Reference paragraph (o)(1) - (3)].

1915.1001(o)(1) - General. On all shipyard worksites covered by this standard, the employer shall designate a qualified person, having the qualifications and authority for ensuring worker safety and health required by Subpart C, General Safety and Health Provisions for Construction (29 CFR 1926.20 through 1926.32).
1915.1001(o)(2) - Required inspections by the qualified person. § 1926.20(b)(2) - accident prevention responsibilities, which requires health and safety prevention programs to provide for frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by qualified persons, is incorporated.
1915.1001(o)(3) - Additional inspections. In addition, the qualified person shall make frequent and regular inspections of the job sites, in order to perform the duties set out in paragraph (o)(3)(i) of this section. For Class I jobs, on-site inspections shall be made at least once during each work shift, and at any time at employee request. For Class II, III and IV jobs, on-site inspections shall be made at intervals sufficient to assess whether conditions have changed, and at any reasonable time at employee request.
1915.1001(o)(4) - Training for the competent person. [Reference paragraph (o)(4)(i) - (ii)].

Scope: This standard provides the requirements coal tar pitch volatiles. See 1910.1002 - coal tar pitch volatiles; interpretation of term.

Special Requirements: References other standards

NOTE: The requirements applicable to shipyard employment under this section are identical to those set forth at 1910.1002 - coal tar pitch volatiles; interpretation of term, of this chapter.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for 13 carcinogens.

Special Requirements: References other standards (See 1910.1003 - 13 Carcinogens)

NOTE: The requirements applicable to shipyard employment under this section are identical to those set forth at § 1910.1003 - 13 carcinogens, of this chapter.

Scope: This standard provides the requirements for alpha-Naphthylamine.

Special Requirements: References other standards (Refer to 13 Carcinogens)