SECTION 380:50-15-6. Body covering requirements

  Workers shall, at all times, wear full-body coveralls, head covers, and appropriate footwear in the work area. Footwear may be disposable, provided foot protection is adequate. Non-disposable footwear shall be left in the work area at all times until disposal, decontamination, or placement in a suitable container for transport at job completion. Launderable single use cloth suits may be used provided:

(1)   For contractor provided on-site laundry facilities.

(A)   Suits must be laundered in such a location, and in such a manner, that there is no possibility of asbestos exposure to unprotected personnel, or to the environment.

(B)   The wash water must be filtered through five-micron filters. The filter residue and filters shall be disposed of as contaminated materials.

(C)   The contractor must take care that the suits are used only on asbestos abatement projects, that the suits are properly laundered prior to re-use, including the use of a disinfectant and sufficient heat for sterilization.

(D)   Since it is possible some residual asbestos may remain on the suits, the suits must be transported between job sites in properly sealed and marked containers.

(2)   For off-site professional laundry services the above requirements shall apply, and in addition:

(A)   A report from an independent environmental consultant must be submitted to the Oklahoma Department of Labor showing the cleaning process is effective, to the degree that suits leaving the laundry for use may be considered asbestos-free.

(B)   A report from the laundry service must be submitted to the State Department of Labor detailing the laundry process, with particular emphasis on the protection of the laundry Workers from asbestos exposure and including all information on how all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances are to be met. The State Labor Department regulates any amount of asbestos material removed in the State, including that which may be on launderable suits. Therefore, such laundries shall be required to utilize only licensed Asbestos Abatement Workers in the handling of such suits.

[Source: Amended at 9 Ok Reg 3309, eff 7-27-92; Amended at 18 Ok Reg 3523, eff 9-14-01]