Asbestos - Hawaii

Hawaii incorporates by reference most of the July 1, 2017, edition of the federal OSHA general industry requirements for asbestos; however, the state adds further requirements. Also, any federal OSHA rulemakings effective after July 1, 2017, will not take effect for employers in Hawaii until the state takes action.

A summary of the additional requirements includes the following:

• Post prominently any information about toxic material or harmful physical agent hazards in your workplace including precautions, symptoms, and emergency procedures. Where appropriate, also post information about the availability of medical exams at no cost to employees. Where possible, also post or label the above information on/near the hazard. Where protective equipment is available, also provide information regarding equipment availability, hazard control, or monitoring/measuring or other technological procedures.
• Do not permit regular employee exposure to substances which may impair their health or function.
• Promptly provide information to employees after/during exposure to toxic materials or harmful physical agents at levels/concentrations over limits set in the regulations. This information may be fulfilled by:
  • Allowing employees to observe monitoring or measuring of such materials or agents;
  • Giving employees access to monitoring and measuring records after exposure, and explaining monitoring or measuring procedures where needed; and
  • Providing employees with information about corrective action taken.
• Hawaii's HAR 12-60-50 lists state-specific definitions that differ from federal OSHA's definitions.

Except as amended in section 12-60-50, HIOSH incorporates by reference the July 1, 2017, edition of 29 CFR 1910. Any new federal OSHA final rule that took or takes effect after July 1, 2017, will not be effective until the state takes action. For example, currently, the following are not effective in Hawaii:

• Federal OSHA Standards Improvement Project—Phase IV final rule, dated May 14, 2019; and
• OSHA Standards and Regulations; Corrections final rule, dated February 18, 2020.

Related information

• Asbestos ezExplanation
• Asbestos state comparison table

Citations

• Hawaii Administrative Rule HAR 12-60-50 Standards
• Hawaii Revised Statute HRS Title 21, Chapter 396 Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Law
• Hawaii Revised Statute HRS Title 21, Section 396-7 Toxic materials
• Federal regulation 29 CFR 1910.1001 and Appendices A through J - Asbestos