OSHA Respiratory Protection Program Requirements

When respirators are needed to protect workers, from silica dust, solvent vapors, or other airborne hazards, OSHA requires a full respiratory protection program under 29 CFR 1910.134. Construction follows the same standard (1926.103).

Program elements

• Written program with worksite-specific procedures, run by a qualified program administrator (1910.134(c)).
• Respirator selection based on the actual hazard and exposure levels (1910.134(d)).
• Medical evaluation before an employee is fit tested or required to use a respirator (1910.134(e)).
• Fit testing for tight-fitting respirators before first use, whenever a different respirator is used, and at least annually after that (1910.134(f)).
• Use rules: tight-fitting respirators may not be worn with facial hair or anything else that interferes with the face seal, and users must do a seal check every time they put one on (1910.134(g)).
• Maintenance: cleaning, storage, inspection, and repair (1910.134(h)).
• Training before first use and at least annually (1910.134(k)).

Voluntary use

If an employee chooses to wear a respirator when it isn't required, the employer must still give them the information in Appendix D of the standard. For voluntary use of anything other than a filtering facepiece (dust mask), the employer must also ensure the employee is medically able to use it and that the respirator is cleaned and stored properly.

Common citations

• Respirators in use with no written program.
• No medical evaluation on file.
• Fit tests missing or more than a year old.
• Workers with beards wearing tight-fitting respirators.