OSHA Revised Respiratory Protection Standards
On this page:
OSHA Standards for Respiratory Protection
Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134
Small Entity Compliance Guide
OSHA Standards for Respiratory Protection
Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134
- General industry standard: protect health of employees from harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors
- Applies to all occupational airborne exposures to contaminated air when the employee is:
- exposed to a hazardous level of an airborne contaminant
- required by the employer to wear a respirator, or
- permitted to wear a respirator
- Four major duties are imposed by the standard:
- Use environmental controls where feasible to control the hazard;
- Provide an appropriate respirator
- Ensure the use of an appropriate respirator, and
- Institute a respiratory protection program
Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.139
- Applies only to respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis
(withdrawn 12/31/2003, with grace period for implementation until July 1, 2004)
Respiratory Protection Standard 1910.134
- Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
This OSHA training document discusses the major requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard. This is not meant to be a full summary of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, and therefore you should still be familiar with the full document below. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)
OSHA standard on respiratory protection, not including appendices. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Fit Testing Procedures (Mandatory)
Appendix A to Respiratory Protection Standard; OSHA-accepted fit test protocols, new fit test protocols. Attention: Non-MDH link
- User Seal Check Procedures (Mandatory)
Appendix B-1 to Respiratory Protection Standard; facepiece positive and/or negative pressure checks, manufacturer's recommended user seal check procedures. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Respirator Cleaning Procedures (Mandatory)
Appendix B-2 to Respiratory Protection Standard; procedures for cleaning respirators. Attention: Non-MDH link
- OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Mandatory)
Appendix C to Respiratory Protection Standard; respirator medical evaluation questionnaire. Attention: Non-MDH link
- Information for Employees Using Respirators When not Required Under Standard (Mandatory)
Appendix D to Respiratory Protection Standard; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator use is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers. If your employer provides respirators for your voluntary use, or if you provide your own respirator, you need to take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard. Attention: Non-MDH link
Small Entity Compliance Guide
OSHA: This guide does not replace this official Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). The reader of this document must also refer to 1910.134 to ensure compliance.
This section applies to General Industry, Shipyards, Marine Terminals, Longshoring, and Construction.
- Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard (PDF: 707KB/149 pages)
OSHA: This guide is intended to help small businesses comply with the Respiratory Protection standard. It provides guidance only, and does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities, which are set forth in OSHA standards and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. 9/30/1998. Attention: Non-MDH link
- APPENDIX II to Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard: OSHA Area and Regional Offices, States With Consultation Programs and Approved OSHA Plans
- Minnesota: Consultation Programs and Approved State Plans
OSHA Attention: Non-MDH link
- Minnesota: Consultation Programs and Approved State Plans
- Appendix III to Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard: Questions and Answers on the Respiratory Protection standard
Questions and answers regarding the respiratory protection standard. Updated 12/2003. Attention: Non-MDH link
- APPENDIX II to Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard: OSHA Area and Regional Offices, States With Consultation Programs and Approved OSHA Plans
