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OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard - Training and Reference Materials

Back to the Table of Contents page for information on many other subjects!

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Background

OSHA's revised Respiratory Protection Standard replaced the respiratory protection standards adopted by OSHA in 1971 (29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103), and it applies to general industry, construction, shipyard, longshoring, and marine terminal workplaces.

The entire previous respirator standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, was redesignated as 29 CFR 1910.139 Respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis, and will continue to apply to respirator use for protection against exposure to TB until OSHA finalizes its TB standard.
bullet What OSHA standards apply?
bullet How are respiratory hazards recognized?
bullet What are some examples of possible solutions for workplace hazards?
bullet What additional information is available?

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Training Materials Respirator Standard Presentation
bullet 
bulletPower Point Presentation
bullet HTML Version
bullet download the entire PowerPoint Presentation [PPT* - 6.8 MB].
bullet Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [PDF - 309 KB]
bullet Frequently Asked Questions [PDF - 820 KB]

Additional Resources


Training Materials
bullet Respirator Standard [PPT - 6.8 MB]
bullet Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [PDF - 309 KB]
bullet Frequently Asked Questions [PDF - 820 KB]
Additional Resources  
bullet Respiratory Protection. OSHA eTool.
bullet Respiratory Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics page.
bullet Respirator Change-Out Schedules. OSHA.
bullet Small Entity Compliance Guide. OSHA Publication.
bullet Respiratory Protection. OSHA Safety and Health Topics page.

 

Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134

OSHA Office of Training and Education
Rev. December 2006
 
Introduction
bulletThis standard applies to General Industry (Part 1910), Shipyards (Part 1915), Marine Terminals (Part 1917), Longshoring (Part 1918), and Construction (Part 1926).
(a) Permissible Practice
bulletParagraph (a)(1) establishes OSHA’s hierarchy of controls by requiring the use of feasible engineering controls as the primary means to control air contaminants. Respirators are required when "effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are being instituted."

bulletParagraph (a)(2) requires employers to provide employees with respirators that are "applicable and suitable" for the purpose intended "when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee."
(b) Definitions

This paragraph contains definitions of important terms used in the regulatory text.

(c) Respiratory Protection Program
bulletMust designate a qualified program administrator to oversee the program.

bulletMust provide respirators, training, and medical evaluations at no cost to the employee.

bulletOSHA has prepared a Small Entity Compliance Guide that contains criteria for selection of a program administrator and a sample program.

 

Respirator-Use Requirements Flow Chart

(d) Selection of Respirators
bulletMust select a respirator certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) which must be used in compliance with the conditions of its certification.

bulletMust identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace, including a reasonable estimate of employee exposures and identification of the contaminant’s chemical state and physical form.

bulletWhere exposure cannot be identified or reasonably estimated, the atmosphere shall be considered immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).

bulletRespirators for IDLH atmospheres:
bulletApproved respirators:
bulletfull facepiece pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) certified by NIOSH for a minimum service life of thirty minutes, or
bulletcombination full facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply.
bulletAll oxygen-deficient atmospheres (less than 19.5% O2 by volume) shall be considered IDLH.

Exception: If the employer can demonstrate that, under all foreseeable conditions, oxygen levels in the work area can be maintained within the ranges specified in Table II (i.e., between 19.5% and a lower value that corresponds to an altitude-adjusted oxygen partial pressure equivalent to 16% oxygen at sea level), then any atmosphere-supplying respirator may be used.
bulletRespirators for non-IDLH atmospheres:
bulletEmployers must use the assigned protection factors (APFs) listed in Table 1 to select a respirator that meets or exceeds the required level of employee protection.
bulletWhen using a combination respirator (e.g., airline respirators with an air-purifying filter), employers must ensure that the assigned protection factor is appropriate to the mode of operation in which the respirator is being used.
bulletMust select a respirator for employee use that maintains the employee’s exposure to the hazardous substance, when measured outside the respirator, at or below the maximum use concentration (MUC).
bulletMust not apply MUCs to conditions that are IDLH; instead must use respirators listed for IDLH conditions in paragraph (d)(2) of this standard.
bulletWhen the calculated MUC exceeds the IDLH level or the performance limits of the cartridge or canister, then employers must set the maximum MUC at that lower limit.
bulletThe respirator selected shall be appropriate for the chemical state and physical form of the contaminant.
bulletFor protection against gases and vapors, the employer shall provide:
bulletan atmosphere-supplying respirator, or
bulletan air-purifying respirator, provided that:
bulletthe respirator is equipped with an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH for the contaminant; or
bulletif there is no ESLI appropriate for conditions of the employer’s workplace, the employer implements a change schedule for canisters and cartridges that will ensure that they are changed before the end of their service life and describes in the respirator program the information and data relied upon and basis for the change schedule and reliance on the data.
bulletFor protection against particulates, the employer shall provide:
bulletan atmosphere-supplying respirator; or
bulletan air-purifying respirator equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters certified by NIOSH under 30 CFR Part 11 or with filters certified for particulates under 42 CFR Part 84; or
bulletan air-purifying respirator equipped with any filter certified for particulates by NIOSH for contaminants consisting primarily of particles with mass median aerodynamic diameters of at least 2 micrometers.
(e) Medical Evaluation
bulletMust provide a medical evaluation to determine employee’s ability to use a respirator, before fit testing and use.

bulletMust identify a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP)  to perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial medical examination that obtains the same information as the medical questionnaire (information required is contained in mandatory Appendix C).

bulletMust obtain a written recommendation regarding the employee’s ability to use the respirator from the PLHCP.

bulletAdditional medical evaluations are required under certain circumstances, e.g.:
bulletemployee reports medical signs or symptoms related to ability to use respirator;
bulletPLHCP, program administrator, or supervisor recommends reevaluation;
bulletinformation from the respirator program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need; or
bulletchange occurs in workplace conditions that may substantially increase the physiological burden on an employee.
bulletAnnual review of medical status is not required.
(f) Fit Testing
bulletAll employees using a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirator must pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT).

bulletFit testing is required prior to initial use, whenever a different respirator facepiece is used, and at least annually thereafter. An additional fit test is required whenever the employee reports, or the employer or PLHCP makes visual observations of, changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit (e.g., facial scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight).

bulletThe fit test shall be administered using an OSHA-accepted QLFT or QNFT protocol, as contained in mandatory Appendix A.
bulletQLFT Protocols:
bulletIsoamyl acetate
bulletSaccharin
bulletBitrex
bulletIrritant smoke
bulletQNFT Protocols:
bulletGenerated Aerosol (corn oil, salt, DEHP)
bulletCondensation Nuclei Counter (PortaCount)
bulletControlled Negative Pressure (Dynatech FitTester 3000)
bulletControlled Negative Pressure (CNP) REDON
bulletQLFT may only be used to fit test negative pressure air-purifying respirators (APRs) that must achieve a fit factor of 100 or less.

bulletIf the fit factor determined through QNFT is ≥100 for tight-fitting half facepieces, or ≥500 for tight-fitting full facepieces, the QNFT has been passed with that respirator.
Note: If a particular OSHA standard (e.g., 29 CFR 1910.1001 Asbestos) requires the use of a full facepiece APR capable of providing protection in concentrations up to 50 times the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL), this respirator must be QNFT. This is because a protection factor of 50 (50 X PEL) multiplied by a standard safety factor of 10 is equivalent to a fit factor of 500.

The safety factor of 10 is used because protection factors in the workplace tend to be much lower than the fit factors achieved during fit testing. The use of a safety factor is a standard practice supported by most experts to offset this limitation. This is discussed in the record at 63 FR 1225.

(g) Use of Respirators
bulletTight-fitting respirators shall not be worn by employees who have facial hair or any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.
 
bulletPersonal protective equipment shall be worn in such a manner that does not interfere with the seal of the facepiece to the face of the user.
 
bulletEmployees shall perform a user seal check each time they put on a tight-fitting respirator using the procedures in mandatory Appendix B-1 or equally effective manufacturer’s procedures.
 
bulletProcedures for respirator use in IDLH atmospheres are stated. In addition to these requirements, interior structural firefighting requires the use of SCBAs and a protective practice known as "2-in/2-out" — at least two employees must enter and remain in visual or voice contact with one another at all times, and at least two employees must be located outside. (Note that this is not meant to preclude firefighters from performing emergency rescue activities before an entire team has assembled.)
(h) Maintenance and Care of Respirators

Must clean and disinfect respirators using the procedures in Appendix B-2, or equally effective manufacturer's procedures at the following intervals:
bulletas often as necessary to maintain a sanitary condition for exclusive use respirators,
 
bulletbefore being worn by different individuals when issued to more than one employee, and
 
bulletafter each use for emergency use respirators and those used in fit testing and training.
(i) Breathing Air Quality and Use

Compressed breathing air shall meet the requirements for Type 1-Grade D breathing air as described in ANSI/CGA Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989.

(j) Identification of Filters, Cartridges, and Canisters
bulletAll filters, cartridges, and canisters used in the workplace must be labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval label.

bulletThe label must not be removed and must remain legible.
(k) Training and Information
bulletMust provide effective training to respirator users, including:
bulletwhy the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, use, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator
bulletlimitations and capabilities of the respirator
bulletuse in emergency situations
bullethow to inspect, put on and remove, use and check the seals
bulletprocedures for maintenance and storage
bulletrecognition of medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use
bulletgeneral requirements of this standard
bulletTraining required prior to initial use, unless acceptable training has been provided by another employer within the past 12 months.

bulletRetraining required annually and when:
bulletworkplace conditions change,
bulletnew types of respirator are used, or
bulletinadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use indicates need.
bulletThe basic advisory information in Appendix D shall be provided to employees who wear respirators when their use is not required.
(l) Program Evaluation

Employer must conduct evaluations of the workplace as necessary to ensure proper implementation of the program and consult with employees to ensure proper use.

(m) Recordkeeping
bulletRecords of medical evaluations must be retained and made available per 29 CFR 1910.1020.

bulletA record of fit tests must be established and retained until the next fit test.

bulletA written copy of the current program must be retained.


- Microsoft IE users select "Save Target As..." | Netscape users select "Save Link As..." >. The file name is: "RespStd.ppt". - Note that is is a very large file, and you will need to be patient in waiting for the download, especially if you are downloading via a modem connection - it may take an hour or more for this download to complete. If you have downloading problems, please click here... or contact your ISP.

Major Requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard PDF File (140K)

This handout discusses the major requirements of OSHA's revised respiratory protection standard,
29 CFR 1910.134.

Respiratory Protection Frequently Asked Questions
PDF File

This handout contains frequently asked questions and answers concerning respirators.

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Regulatory Reference Materials

 Directives
bullet Respiratory Protection Program Guidelines. CPL 02-02-054 [CPL 2-254A], (2000, July 14). Sets forth guidelines for establishing and implementing an OSHA respirator program to ensure that all OSHA employees are protected from exposure to respiratory hazards.
bullet Inspection procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard. CPL 02-00-120 [CPL 2-0.120], (1998, September 25). Establishes agency interpretations and enforcement policies, and provides instructions to ensure uniform enforcement of the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
bullet 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(5)-- Respirator Fit-Testing. CPL 02-02-29 [CPL 2-2.29], (1980, October 27). Provides guidance regarding enforcement policy for the respirator fit-testing requirement under 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(5).
bulletSearch all available directives.
Standard Interpretations 
bullet Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection. (2004, July 30). Defines the new enforcement policy for tuberculosis under 29 CFR 1910.134. Effective July 2, 2004, covered establishments must comply with 29 CFR 1910.134 when using respirators for protection from tuberculosis (TB). 
bullet Comparison of Respiratory Protection for TB Standard (29 CFR 1910.139) with 29 CFR 1910.134. Also available as a 132 KB PDF, 29 pages. Most of the requirements in 29 CFR 1910.134, and the former 29 CFR 1910.139 are basically the same, however five areas now have more detailed requirements.
bullet Respiratory protection requirements for hospital staff decontaminating chemically contaminated patients. (2002, September 5).
bullet Preemption of respiratory protection standard by DOT's Office of Pipeline Safety regulations. (1999, April 8).
bullet Clarification of the medical evaluation provisions of the revised respiratory protection standard. (1998, November 16).
bullet Questions and answers regarding the respiratory protection standard. (1998, October 16).
bullet Medical evaluation requirements under the respiratory protection standard. (1998, October 5).
bullet Conduct of respiratory protection medical evaluations by medical technicians. (1998, October 16).
bullet The OSHA interpretation of respiratory protection requirements with regards to tuberculosis (TB) exposure. (1996, February 5).
bulletSearch all available standard interpretations.
Publications
bullet Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Respiratory Protection Standard (CFR 1910.134). OSHA Publication 9071, (1999). Also available as a 706 KB PDF, 149 pages. Helps small businesses comply with the new Respiratory Protection Standard. A sample respiratory protection program is included in Appendix IV.
bulletQuestions and Answers on the Respiratory Protection Standard. OSHA, (1998, August 17), 242 KB PDF, 82 pages. Provides questions and answers relating to each paragraph of the Respiratory Protection Standard. A Spanish translation of the Medical Questionnaire (Appendix C) is included at the end of the document.
OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134

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Respiratory Standard Training Presentation - HTML Version

Select a chart by clicking on the associated thumbnail below, or download the entire PowerPoint Presentation [PPT* - 6.8 MB].
 

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If you need help developing a respiratory protection program, call EHSO at 770-645-0788!