Small Entity Compliance Guide for 

the Respiratory Protection Standard

OSHA 3384-09 2011
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

“To assure safe and healthful working conditions

for working men and women; by authorizing 

enforcement of the standards developed under 

the Act; by assisting and encouraging the States in

their efforts to assure safe and healthful working

conditions; by providing for research, information,

education, and training in the field of occupational

safety and health.”

This publication provides a general overview of a

particular standards-related topic. This publication

does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities which are set forth in OSHA standards and 

the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Moreover,

because interpretations and enforcement policy

may change over time, for additional guidance on

OSHA compliance requirements, the reader should

consult current administrative interpretations and

decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health

Review Commission and the courts.

This document is intended to provide relevant 

information to employers and employees in determining whether respirators are needed, and, if so,

how the respirators should be selected and used.

This publication does not replace the official Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

Material contained in this publication is in the public

domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially,

without permission. Source credit is requested

but not required.

This information will be made available to 

sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice

phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number:

1-877-889-5627. 
Small Entity Compliance Guide 

for the 

Respiratory Protection Standard

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

U.S. Department of Labor

OSHA 3384-09 

2011

Original cover illustrations created by Attiliis & Associates
Contents

Introduction...................................................... 5

The audience for this guide.................................6

How to use this guide............................................6

Respiratory protection equipment....................8

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection 

Standard.....................................................................9

The Respiratory Protection Program................9

When to use the Respiratory 

Protection Program................................................9

Updates to OSHA’s Respiratory 

Protection Standard.............................................10

The benefits of the Respiratory 

Protection Standard.............................................10

Points of Contact for additional 

information..............................................................11

Section (a): Permissible practice.............11

(a)(1) Engineering controls.................................11

(a)(2) Providing employees with 

respirators...............................................................12

Checklist for Permissible Practice..................12

Section (b): Definitions...............................13

Section (c): Respiratory protection 

program............................................................13

(c)(1) Program development and 

implementation.....................................................13

(c)(2) Where respirator use is not required.. 14

(c)(3) Program administrator.............................15

(c)(4) Employer-provided respirators..............16

Checklist for Respiratory Protection 

Programs..................................................................16

Section (d): Respirator selection.............16

(d)(1)(i) General guidelines for selection.......16

(d)(1)(ii) Selected respirator must be 

certified by the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).....17

(d)(1)(iii) Employers need to identify 

and evaluate worksite hazards........................17

(d)(1)(iv)You must provide a sufficient 

number of respirators to correctly fit 

the user.....................................................................18

(d)(2) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres......18

(d)(2)(i) Types of respirators...............................18

(d)(2)(ii) Respirators for escape from IDLH 

atmospheres must be NIOSH-certified 

for escape from the atmosphere in which 

they will be used...................................................18

(d)(2)(iii) You must consider all oxygen 

deficient atmospheres to be IDLH..................18

(d)(3) Respirators for non-IDLH 

atmospheres...........................................................18

(d)(3)(i) You must provide respirators 

that are adequate to protect employee 

health and ensure compliance with all 

other OSHA requirements under routine 

and reasonably foreseeable emergency 

situations.................................................................18

(d)(3)(i)(A) You must select respirators 

according to Assigned Protection Factors

(APF)..........................................................................19

(d)(3)(i)(B) You must select respirators 

after considering the Maximum Use 

Concentrations in your workplace under

which respirators are used................................19

(d)(3)(ii) You must select respirators that 

are appropriate for the chemical state 

and physical form of the contaminant..........20

(d)(3)(iii) Respiratory protection for 

gases and vapors..................................................20

(d)(3)(iv) Respiratory protection for 

particulates.............................................................22

Checklist for Respirator Selection..................23

Table I: Assigned Protection Factors............24

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres.....27

Section (e): Medical evaluation................27

(e)(1) Employer provided medical 

evaluations..............................................................27

(e)(2) Medical evaluation procedures.............27

(e)(3) Follow-up medical examinations..........28

(e)(4) Administration of questionnaires 

and examinations..................................................28

(e)(5) Supplemental information for 

the PLHCP...............................................................29

(e)(6) Medical determination.............................30

(e)(7) Additional medical evaluations............30

Checklist for Medical Evaluation.....................31

Section (f): Fit testing................................. 31

Qualitative Fit Testing and User Seal 

Checking..................................................................34

(f)(1) Respirators that require fit testing......35

(f)(2) When fit testing must be conducted: 

general requirements..........................................35

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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(f)(3) When fit testing must be conducted:

changes in the respirator wearer’s 

physical condition................................................35

(f)(4) When fit testing must be conducted: 

unacceptable fit as determined by an 

employee after fit testing..................................35

(f)(5) Fit testing procedures: general 

fit testing procedures.........................................35

(f)(6) Limitation on use of qualitative 

fit testing.................................................................35

(f)(7) Use of quantitative fit testing...............36

(f)(8) Fit testing for atmosphere-supplying 

and powered air-purifying respirators..........36

Checklist for Fit Testing......................................41

Section (g): Use of respirators.................41

(g)(1) Preventing leaks in the facepiece seal.................................................................41

(g)(2) Continuing respirator effectiveness...43

(g)(3) Procedures for Immediately 

Dangerous to Life or Health atmospheres 

and for interior structural firefighting..........43

(g)(4) Procedures for interior structural 

firefighting..............................................................46

Checklist for Proper Use of 

Respirators..............................................................47

Section (h): Maintenance and care 

of respirators..................................................47

(h)(1) Cleaning and disinfecting......................47

(h)(2) Storage..........................................................48

(h)(3) Inspection....................................................48

(h)(4) Repairs..........................................................48

Checklist for Respirator Maintenance 

and Care...................................................................49

Section (i): Breathing air quality 

and use.............................................................49

(i)(1) Specifications for breathing air............50

(i)(1)(i) Compressed and liquid oxygen..........50

(i)(1)(ii) Compressed breathing air..................50

(i)(2)&(3) Oxygen use...........................................51

(i)(4) Cylinder use..................................................51

(i)(5)-(7) Compressor use....................................51

(i)(5)(i) Location of compressor during use..51

(i)(5)(ii) Low moisture content of 

ambient air..............................................................51

(i)(5)(iii) Inline air purification...........................51

(i)(5)(iv) Tracking of bed and filter changes..52

(i)(6) Compressors that are not oil 

lubricated................................................................52

(i)(7) Compressors that are oil lubricated....52

(i)(8) Precautions regarding couplings..........53

(i)(9) Labeling of breathing gas containers..53

Checklist for Breathing Air Quality 

and Use.....................................................................53

Section (j): Identification of filters, 

cartridges and canisters.................................54

Section (k): Training and information.....54

(k)(1) Content of training...................................54

(k)(2) Comprehension of training....................55

(k)(3) Timing of training..................................... 55

(k)(4) Portability of training..............................55

(k)(5) Retraining.....................................................55

(k)(6) Information for voluntary 

respirator users.....................................................56

Checklist for Training and Information..........56

Section (l): Program evaluation..................56

(l)(1) Conducting program evaluations......... 56

(l)(2) Consulting with employees.................... 56

Checklist for Program Evaluation...................57

Section (m): Recordkeeping......................57

(m)(1) Medical evaluation records..................57

(m)(2) Respirator fit testing records..............57

(m)(3) Written respiratory protection 

program....................................................................57

(m)(4) Access to records.....................................57

Checklist for Recordkeeping.............................57

Attachment 1: APF Glossary 

and definitions......................................................58

Attachment 2: Checklists...............................61

Checklist for Permissible Practice..................61

Checklist for Respiratory Protection 

Programs..................................................................61

Checklist for Respirator Selection..................62

Checklist for Medical Evaluation.....................62

Checklist for Fit Testing......................................63

Checklist for Proper Use of 

Respirators..............................................................63

Checklist for Respirator Maintenance 

and Care...................................................................64
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Checklist for Breathing Air Quality 

and Use.....................................................................65

Checklist for Training and Information..........65

Checklist for Program Evaluation...................66

Checklist for Recordkeeping.............................66

Attachment 3: 

Respiratory Protection Standard...............67

Table I: Assigned Protection Factors..............71

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres.......72

Appendix A to § 1910.134: Fit Testing 

Procedures (Mandatory)......................................81

Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols.....81

Table A-1: CNP REDON Quantitative 

Fit Testing Protocol...............................................93

Part II. New FitTest Protocols...........................93

Appendix B-1 to § 1910.134: User 

Seal Check Procedures (Mandatory)..............94

Appendix B-2 to § 1910.134: Respirator 

Cleaning Procedures (Mandatory)...................95

Appendix C to § 1910.134: OSHA 

Respirator Medical Evaluation 

Questionnaire (Mandatory)................................96

Part A. Section 1. (Mandatory)..........................96

Part A. Section 2. (Mandatory).........................96

Appendix D to § 1910.134: 

Information for Employees Using 

Respirators When Not Required 

Under the Standard (Mandatory)..................100

Attachment 4: Sample Program...............101

Attachment 5: NIOSH MultiVapor 

Information............................................................112

Attachment 6: NIOSH Tables of 

Cartridges and Canisters by APFs 

(Modified to OSHA APFs)............................. 113

Table 1. Particulate Respirators....................113

Table 2. Gas/Vapor Respirators.....................114

Table 3. Combination Gas/Vapor 

and Particulate Respirators...........................115

Complaints, Emergencies 

and Further Assistance.................................. 116

OSHA Regional Offices..................................118

Agencies are required to prepare and publish one 

or more guides to assist small entities in complying

with regulations for which an agency is required 

to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis. 

(Requirement is in the Small Business Regulatory

Enforcement Fairness Act, (P.L. 104-121, March 29,

1996, as amended by P.L.110-128, May 25, 2007).
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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Introduction

Agencies are required to prepare and publish one or

more guides to assist small entities in complying with

regulations for which an agency is required to prepare a

regulatory flexibility analysis. (See the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, (P.L. 104-121,

March 29, 1996, as amended by the P.L.110-128, May 25,

2007).)

This Small Entity Compliance Guide (SECG) is 

intended to help small businesses comply with the 

Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s

(OSHA) Respiratory Protection standard (63 FR 1152;

January 8, 1998). While the guide is for small entities,

the guide itself is not small. OSHA’s goal for this 

document is to provide small entities with a comprehensive step-by-step guide complete with checklists

and commonly asked questions that will aid both 

employees and employers in small businesses with a

better understanding of OSHA’s respiratory protection

standard. The reader should be advised that OSHA also

has other shorter documents and visual aids that may

be used to better understand respiratory protection and

the OSHA standard itself. That information can be

found on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

If the employees of a small business are only 

exposed to nuisance dusts and relatively non-toxic

chemicals and use only a few types of relatively simple

respirators, knowledge of the guide and materials 

supplied by the respirator manufacturer may be 

sufficient for the small business owner or an employee

to become qualified as a program administrator. If 

more dangerous chemicals or high exposures are 

present, or sophisticated respirators are used, the 

program administrator must have more knowledge or

experience. In these circumstances, it may be necessary for the administrator to seek out the expertise

needed or to obtain appropriate training.

OSHA’s original Respiratory Protection standard was

adopted in 1971 from an existing American National

Standards Institute (ANSI) standard. On October 5,

1998, OSHA issued a revised standard that updated 

and replaced that 1971 standard. At that time, in 1998,

OSHA reserved the definition under (d) (respirator 

selection) for the Assigned Protection Factors (APFs),

and Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs) and Table I:

Assigned Protection Factors values until further rulemaking was completed. 

In addition, the revised 1998 Respiratory Protection

standard included a new provision that allowed the 

development of new fit tests. In compliance with this

provision, OSHA approved and adopted an additional

quantitative fit testing protocol, the controlled negative

pressure (CNP) REDON fit testing protocol, in 2004. (See

Appendix A of the standard.)

In August 2006, OSHA again revised the standard by

adding definitions for APF and MUC and a table (Table

I) of APF values. This guide provides a discussion of

these APF provisions and their role in the overall 

Respiratory Protection standard.

History of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard

Year Event

1971 The existing American National Standards 

Institute (ANSI) standard adopted as OSHA’s 

Respiratory Protection standard

1998 OSHA’s Final Revised Respiratory Protection 

Standard (Assigned Protection Factors 

reserved)

2004 CNP REDON Fit Test Approved for Use

2006 Final Assigned Protection Factors Rulemaking 

(APF) including APFs, MUCs, Table I: Assigned 

Protection Factors (71 Fed. Reg. 50122)

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard specifies

only the minimum requirements for an effective 

respiratory protection program. Under the standard,

OSHA may require you to establish a respiratory 

protection program when exposure to an airborne 

contaminant or to low oxygen levels can cause illness

or injury to an employee and when these health effects

can be prevented by the use of adequate engineering

and administrative controls and/or the appropriate 

selection and use of a respirator. OSHA may also 

require you to establish a respiratory protection 

program while these engineering and administrative

controls are being installed or maintained and repaired,

or for emergencies. You are encouraged to exceed

these minimum criteria if doing so enhances the safety

and health of your employees. This SECG provides a

sample respirator program to guide small business administrators. (See Attachment 4 of this guide.)

This document is advisory in nature, informational

in content, and is intended to assist employers by using

plain English to explain each provision of the standard,

whenever possible. However, technical terms that apply

to respiratory protection have legal definitions, as set

forth in the Respiratory Protection standard. In this

guide, whenever these terms are used, they are used

only as they are legally defined. A list of these terms

can be found under (b)(definitions) of the Respiratory

Protection standard. A copy of the standard is included

in this guide under Attachment 3.

The Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR

1910.134) establishes, in one place, the required 

program for properly selecting and using respirators.

All mandatory respirator use is covered by the 

Respiratory Protection standard. The Respiratory 
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Protection standard also applies to: Shipyards (29 CFR

1915.154); Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917.92); 

Longshoring (29 CFR 1918.102); and, Construction 

(29 CFR 1926.103). The final standard covers required 

respiratory protection for use against hazardous airborne

workplace exposures, including biological hazards.

The audience for this guide

You should read this guide if it is likely that you will

need to establish and implement a respiratory 

protection program for your business. This guide is 

intended to assist program administrators, employers

who need to develop a program, employees who may

be required to wear respirators, and licensed medical

professionals who must evaluate an employee's ability

to wear respirators, among others.

Program administrators need to develop a written

respiratory protection program that covers procedures

for the use of respirators in any work area in which 

employees are exposed to airborne hazards. This guide

provides information on procedures that will help the

administrator develop a program for the particular

workplace. The program needs to cover each provision

of the standard. All required elements of the respiratory

protection program must be in writing unless a 

particular element does not apply to your workplace.

For example, if no employees volunteer to wear 

respirators, then the program administrator does not

need to develop procedures for that type of respirator

use. Employees themselves will find useful information

in this guide on training and medical examinations. 

Licensed healthcare providers will find additional 

information in this guide on the timing of medical 

examinations and follow-up exams for employees who

use respirators, as well as information about the types

of respirators that are available.

This document provides guidance only, and does

not alter or determine compliance responsibilities,

which are set forth in the Occupational Safety and

Health (OSH) Act (29 U.S.C. 655). The guide does not 

replace the official Respiratory Protection standard (29

CFR 1910.134). A copy of the Respiratory Protection

standard is provided in Attachment 3 of this guide. You

must refer to the standard to ensure compliance. Lists

of appendices for this guide and for the Respiratory

Program standard are provided under “How to use this

guide.”

There are two limitations to the use of this guide.

First, interpretations and enforcement policy may

change over time. To stay up-to-date on interpretations

and enforcement policies, you should consult current

administrative interpretations and decisions by the 

Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

and the courts for additional guidance on OSHA 

compliance requirements. And second, new fit tests

may be approved through Section 6(b)(7) rulemaking.

In 27 states and territories, occupational respiratory

requirements are enforced by the state agency responsible for the OSHA-approved State Plan. These states

are: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa,

Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada,

New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico,

South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,

Washington, and Wyoming. Connecticut, Illinois, 

New Jersey, New York, and the Virgin Islands operate

OSHA-approved State Plans that apply to state and

local government employees only. 

State Plan states are required to adopt and enforce

respiratory protection standards that are either 

identical to or at least as effective as the Federal OSHA

standards. These states are also required to extend the

coverage of their respiratory protection standard to

state and local government employees, including paid,

and in some states, volunteer firefighters who are 

otherwise not covered by the Federal standard. The 

information in this guide should be equally applicable

to you if you are located in a State Plan state, although

you should check to see if there are any unique or 

additional requirements that may apply.

How to use this guide

This guide is divided into the same sections that appear

in the final Respiratory Protection standard. (See Attachment 3.) The organization of the guide follows the same

organization as the corresponding provision of the

standard, proceeding from paragraph (a)(Permissible

Practice) to mandatory appendices of the Respiratory

Protection standard (§ 1910.134.) A special feature of

the electronic version of this guide on OSHA’s webpage

is included in the Table of Contents. This feature allows

you to “click” on the section of interest to you in the

Table of Contents and go directly to that portion of the

guide.

References to the appendices to the Respiratory 

Protection standard are in italics in the text of this

guide.

§ 1910.134 Respiratory Protection Standard

Section (a) – Permissible Practice

Section (b) – Definitions

Section (c) – Respiratory Protection Program

Section (d) – Respirator Selection

Table I: Assigned Protection Factors

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Section (e) – Medical Evaluation

Section (f) – Fit Testing

Section (g) – Use of Respirators

Section (h) – Maintenance and Care of Respirators

Section (i) – Breathing Air Quality and Use

Section (j) – Identification of Filters, Cartridges 

and Canisters
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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Section (k) – Training and Information

Section (l) – Program Evaluation

Section (m) – Recordkeeping

Section (n) – Effective dates

Section (o) – Appendices

The appendices to the Respiratory Protection 

standard are:

Appendix A to § 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures 

(Mandatory) 

Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols

Table A-1: CNP REDON Quantitative Fit Testing 

Protocol

Part II. New Fit Test Protocols

Appendix B-1 to § 1910.134: User Seal Check 

Procedures (Mandatory) 

Appendix B-2 to § 1910.134: Respirator Cleaning 

Procedures (Mandatory) 

Appendix C to § 1910.134: OSHA Respirator Medical 

Evaluation Questionnaire (Mandatory) 

Part A. Section 1. (Mandatory) 

Part A. Section 2. (Mandatory) 

Appendix D to § 1910.134: Information for Employees 

Using Respirators When Not Required Under the 

Standard (Mandatory) 

The attachments in this guide are:

Attachment 1 – the glossary and list of definitions from 

the Assigned Protection Factor rule 

Attachment 2 – a complete set of the checklists used in 

this guide

Attachment 3 – a copy of the Respiratory Protection 

standard

Attachment 4 – a Sample Program

Attachment 5 – NIOSH MultiVapor Information

Attachment 6 – NIOSH tables of cartridges and 

canisters by APFs (modified to OSHA’s APFs)

Citations to the standard provided in each section

enable you to compare the text in this guide with the

standard. (See Attachment 3 of this guide for a copy of

the Respiratory Protection standard.) For example, to

review the new assigned protection factors and maximum use concentrations in the final standard, at

(d)(3)(ii)(A)-(B), it might be useful to know that you will

need to begin with section (d) and proceed through

(d)(1) and (d)(2) to (d)(3) and then through (d)(3)(i) to

(d)(3)(ii), and so forth.

Citation for Assigned Protection Factors and Maximum Use Concentrations, under

paragraph (d) Selection of Respirators

Citation to the standard Name of Section in Standard Small Entity Compliance Guide

Paragraph (d)(1)-(2) Respirator Selection Employers need to know specific information on: NIOSH 

certification, unknown exposures; workplace factors; user 

factors, the two major types of respirators; respirators for 

oxygen deficient, and other IDLH atmospheres. 

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres, is described in (d)(2).

Paragraph (d)(3)-(d)(3)(i) Respirators for non-IDLH atmospheres When providing respirators, employers must provide respirators

that are adequate to protect employee health and ensure 

compliance with all other OSHA requirements under routine 

and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations.

Paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres Employers need to know specific instructions on how to select

respirators using Table I. Assigned Protection Factors.

(A) Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) Table I. Assigned Protection Factors is described in this paragraph.

Employers must use the assigned 

protection factors listed in Table I 

to select a respirator that meets or 

exceeds the required level of 

employee protection.

Paragraph (d)(3)(i)(B) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres The employee’s exposure must be at or below the MUC when 

the exposure is measured outside the respirator. Instructions on 

Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs) how to select respirators using MUCs, including the limitations 

of MUCs, are provided.

Paragraph (d)(3)(ii)-(iv) Respirator selection for chemical and 

physical form of contaminant, and 

other provisions.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

In the final Respiratory Protection standard, Table I:

Assigned Protection Factors is at the end of section

(d)(3)(iv). From this example, it is clear that major 

provisions, such as those covering APFs and MUCs, are

actually subparagraphs of the larger selection citation

provision for non-IDLH hazards. It is these citations to

the standard that are included in the text of this guide,

as appropriate.

Respiratory protection equipment

Respirators are devices that protect employees from 

inhaling harmful substances, including chemical, 

biological, and radiological agents. These substances

can be in the form of airborne vapors, gases, dust, fogs,

fumes, mists, smokes, or sprays. Some respirators also

ensure that employees do not breathe air that contains

dangerously low levels of oxygen or that is otherwise

immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH), (e.g.,

life-threatening exposures during interior structural 

firefighting.) Respirators may be used to provide 

protection during routine operations where engineering

controls and work practices are not able to provide 

sufficient protection from these hazards, or in 

emergencies.

In situations in which employees are exposed to

harmful airborne hazards, respirators must “seal off”

and isolate the user’s respiratory system from the 

contaminated environment. The risk that a user will 

experience an adverse health outcome when relying 

on respiratory protection is a function of the toxicity or 

hazardous nature of the air contaminants present, the

concentrations of the contaminants in the air, the 

duration of exposure, and the degree of isolation 

provided by the respirator. When respirators fail or 

do not provide the degree of protection expected by 

the user, the user is placed at an increased risk of any 

adverse health effects that are associated with exposure

to the respiratory hazards present. Furthermore, the

margin for error in IDLH atmospheres is slight or 

nonexistent because an equipment malfunction or 

employee mistake can, without warning, expose the

employee to an atmosphere incapable of supporting

human life. Such exposure may disable the employee

and require an immediate rescue if the employee’s life

is to be saved. Therefore, it is critical that respirators are

properly selected and used in compliance with the 

Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

Respirators provide protection from respiratory 

hazards only when they are properly selected and used

in compliance with the Respiratory Protection standard

(29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103). The final 

Respiratory Protection standard applies to general 

industry, construction, longshoring, shipyard, and 

marine terminal workplaces. A copy of the standard is

provided in Attachment 3.

Atmosphere-supplying respirators are used to 

provide breathing air from a source independent of the

ambient atmosphere. Respirators that supply breathing

air are generally used in highly hazardous work 

environments. It is critical that such respirator systems

provide breathing air of optimal quality and that the

equipment operates reliably.

The two types of such equipment are:

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units, 

for which air is supplied from a tank (a cylinder of

compressed air or oxygen). For this type of respirator, the source of the breathing air is designed to be

transported by or with the equipment user.

• Supplied-air respirators (SARs) (also known as airline respirators), which receive air from a connecting

hose. The source of air is either a pressurized 

cylinder or an air compressor. Because the 

employee does not carry the air on his or her back

when using a SAR, breathing air can be provided

over a longer time period than is the case with an

SCBA.

Examples of atmosphere-supplying respirators with

tight-fitting facepieces and positive pressure characteristics include: 

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), 

supplied-air respirator (SAR) and full elastomeric

facepiece;

Abrasive-blasting SAR in the continuous mode and

full elastomeric facepiece; and

Supplied-air respirator (SAR) with an escape bottle

and full elastomeric facepiece.

Pressure-demand respirators are positive pressure

atmosphere-supplying respirators that admit breathing

air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is 

reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.

An air-purifying respirator (APR) is a respirator

which removes contaminants from the air. An 

atmosphere-supplying respirator, or Supplied-air 

respirator (SAR), is one which provides clean breathing

air from an uncontaminated source. 

Elastomeric facepieces include facepieces made

from Natural or Synthetic Rubber (e.g., EPDM); EPDM 

is an acronym for a specific type of rubber; that is, 

Ethylene propylene diene M-class rubber.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard

The Respiratory Protection standard requires employers to establish and maintain a respiratory protection

program to protect their respirator-wearing employees.

OSHA revised the original 1971 Respiratory Protection

standard in 1998. The new standard incorporates 

scientific principles and technologies that emerged

since 1971. Because of advances in technology, many

areas covered by the previous standard had become

outdated.

The final revision of the Respiratory Protection 

standard is intended to:

• Enhance the protection of employee health.

• Promote more effective use of respirators.

• Make it easier for you to comply with its provisions.

• Make it easier to understand the policy and procedures you must follow when implementing a respiratory protection program.

• Supersede most respiratory provisions in existing

standard.

The Respiratory Protection Program

A respiratory protection program is a cohesive 

collection of written worksite-specific procedures and

policies that, taken together, address all respiratory 

protection elements required by the standard. For 

example, a respiratory protection program must 

contain specific procedures describing how respirators

will be selected, fitted, used, maintained and inspected

in a particular workplace. Section (c) of this guide 

contains more information on respiratory protection

programs. 

When respirators are used during operations where

exposures exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure limit

(PEL), use of properly functioning respirators is essential to ensure that employees are not placed at significant risk of material impairment of health. Respiratory

protection is necessary in situations where engineering

and administrative controls are insufficient to reduce

airborne hazards, in emergencies, in situations in which

engineering and other controls are being installed or

maintained, in oxygen deficient atmospheres, or for 

internal structural firefighting. The final Respiratory 

Protection standard establishes the minimum elements

of a comprehensive program that are necessary to 

ensure effective performance of a respirator.

When to use the Respiratory Protection 

Program

Generally, you are required to establish a respiratory

protection program whenever you or OSHA requires

your employees to wear respirators. For example, you

may need to establish a respiratory protection program:

• If your employees work in situations where the level

of oxygen is insufficient or potentially insufficient.

• If your employees are potentially exposed to 

harmful levels of hazardous gases or vapors. 

• If your employees are exposed to other potential

respiratory hazards, such as dust, airborne 

biological hazards, mists, fumes, sprays, and other

airborne particles.

Examples of an air-purifying respirator and an atmosphere-supplying respirator

Air-purifying respirators (APR) Supplied-air respirators (SAR) or

remove contaminants from the air Atmosphere-supplying respirators provide 

clean air from an uncontaminated source

Half mask filtering facepiece Self-contained Breathing Apparatus

Dust Mask (SCBA) Full facepiece Elastomeric
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

You need to supply employees with respirators

when all preferred methods of protecting them from

breathing contaminated air have been determined to 

be insufficient to reduce the contamination to nonhazardous levels. You must also consider the potential

for emergencies, that is, for reasonably foreseeable

emergencies, when evaluating the respiratory hazards

in the workplace. These preferred methods include:

• Engineering controls, such as: local or general 

dilution ventilation, change of the work process, 

isolation or enclosure, or substitution, and 

• Administrative controls, such as: employee rotation,

or scheduling major maintenance for weekends or

times when few employees are present. 

If you have any questions about when to supply

your employees with respirators, refer to the copy of

the standard in Attachment 3.

Updates to OSHA’s Respiratory Protection

Standard

In the final Assigned Protection Factor rule, OSHA 

revised its existing Respiratory Protection standard to

add definitions and requirements for Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use Concentrations

(MUCs). The revisions also supersede the respirator 

selection provisions of existing substance-specific 

standards with these new APFs (except for the respirator selection provisions of the 1, 3-Butadiene Standard).

As part of the final Assigned Protection Factor rule, 

pertinent provisions of the substance-specific standards

that were superseded were modified in each individual

substance-specific standard to make clear where the

Respiratory Protection standard is to be followed,

thereby reducing any confusion when referring to those

substance-specific standards. 

The Agency developed the final APFs after 

thoroughly reviewing the available literature, including

chamber simulation studies and workplace protection

factor studies, comments submitted to the record, and

hearing testimony. The final APFs provide employers

with critical information to use when selecting 

respirators for employees exposed to atmospheric 

contaminants found in general industry, construction,

shipyards, longshoring, and marine terminal workplaces. Proper respirator selection using APFs is an 

important component of an effective respiratory 

protection program. Accordingly, OSHA concludes that

the final APFs are necessary to protect employees who

must use respirators to protect them from airborne 

contaminants.

Major new provisions and other non-mandatory

changes included in the final standard.

The Respiratory Protection standard has been updated

and now includes the following important new 

provision:

• Assigned Protection Factors (APFs), Maximum Use

Concentrations (MUCs), and APF Table I. 

And other changes:

• New fit test procedures – Controlled Negative 

Pressure REDON (CNP REDON)

Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and Maximum Use

Concentrations (MUCs)

OSHA published the final Respiratory Protection 

standard in January 1998, and reserved the APF 

provisions, (i.e., the APF and MUC definitions and the

Table of APFs) (63 FR 1203). The rulemaking on the 

reserved APFs of the Respiratory Protection standard

was completed on August 24, 2006 (71 FR 50122). The

rule amends 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) and (d)(3)(i)(B)

of the Respiratory Protection standard by specifying a

set of APFs for each class of respirators. The new 

provisions for APFs, MUCs, and Table I cover selection

procedures for respiratory protection. These procedures

are discussed in more detail in the following section on

respirator selection. The APFs specify the highest 

multiple of a contaminant’s permissible exposure limit

(PEL) at which an employee can use a respirator. 

New Fit Test Procedures - Controlled Negative Pressure

REDON (CNP REDON)

The 1998 revised Respiratory Protection standard 

allowed the development of new fit tests. This provision

is contained in Part II of Appendix A of the standard. A

copy of the Respiratory Protection standard is provided

in this guide under Attachment 3. This provision for

new fit test procedures specified, in part, the procedure

individuals must follow to submit new fit testing 

protocols for the Agency’s consideration. In compliance

with this provision, OSHA has approved and has

adopted an additional quantitative fit testing protocol,

the controlled negative pressure (CNP) REDON fit testing protocol, for inclusion in Appendix A of the 

Respiratory Protection standard. (69 FR 46986) (See

Section (f) of this guide.)

The benefits of the Respiratory Protection

Standard

The updated standard now provides:

• A complete set of definitions that will eliminate 

confusion about terminology and how these terms
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apply to respirators and their use. (See: Attachment 1

of this guide (APF Glossary of Definitions); and the

definitions under Section (b) of the standard). 

• Criteria for selecting respirators. (See Section (d) of

this guide.)

• General information

• Assigned Protection Factors

• Table I: Assigned Protection Factors

• Maximum Use Concentrations

When issuing the 1998 rule, OSHA estimated that

compliance with the standard would prevent hundreds

of deaths and thousands of illnesses in U.S. workplaces

each year (63 FR 1173). The APFs in the final rulemaking

help ensure that these benefits are achieved, as well as

provide an additional degree of protection. These new

APFs reduce employee exposures in some instances to

several Section (6)(b)(5) chemicals covered by standards

with outdated APF criteria, thereby reducing exposures

to chemicals such as asbestos, lead, cotton dust, and 

arsenic. While the Agency did not quantify these 

benefits, it estimated that thousands of employees

would have a higher degree of respiratory protection

under this APF standard. The Respiratory Protection

standard has been determined to be economically and

technologically feasible for covered industries. 

In addition to health benefits, OSHA believes that

other benefits result from the harmonization of APF

specifications, thereby making compliance with the 

respirator rule easier for employers. Employers no

longer have to consult several sources and several

OSHA standards to determine the best choice of 

respirator, but can make their choices based on a single,

easily found regulation. In addition to having only one

set of numbers (i.e., APFs) to assist them with respirator

selection for nearly all substances, some employers may

be able to streamline their respirator stock by using one

respirator class to meet their respirator needs instead 

of several respirator classes. The increased ease of 

compliance also yields additional health benefits to 

employees using respirators.

The revised APFs clarify when employers can safely

place employees in respirators that impose less stress

on the cardiovascular system (e.g., filtering facepiece

respirators). Many of these alternative respirators may

have the additional benefit of being less expensive to

purchase and operate. OSHA estimated that over 15,000

employees used respirators that fall into this group (i.e.,

employees that may safely shift to a less expensive 

respirator).

Points of Contact for additional information

For additional assistance in establishing and implementing a respiratory protection program, contact the

OSHA area office nearest you. If you are unable to 

contact your local OSHA area office, you may contact

the appropriate OSHA regional office for information or

assistance. A list of OSHA regional offices is at page 118. 

Section (a): Permissible practice

When engineering controls are not feasible, or while

engineering controls are being put in place, appropriate

respirators must be used.

(a)(1) Engineering controls

To prevent illness or diseases caused by breathing 

hazardous air in the workplace, you must use 

engineering controls to the extent feasible to prevent

contamination of the workplace atmosphere. When 

engineering controls are not feasible, or while 

engineering controls are being put in place, appropriate

respirators must be used.

How to know if the atmosphere in your workplace is

hazardous

An atmosphere is hazardous if it does not contain 

sufficient oxygen, or if it contains chemical, biological,

or radiological contaminants in sufficient quantity to

harm the health of employees. Section (d) of this guide

contains information on how to identify and evaluate

respiratory hazards in your workplace.

What are engineering and administrative controls?

Engineering controls physically change the work 

environment to reduce employee exposure to air 

contaminants. Such engineering controls may include:

• Change of the work process

• Isolation or enclosure of the work process or of 

employees

• Local exhaust or general dilution ventilation

• Substitution of less hazardous substances for 

harmful materials

Administrative controls involve changes in the length 

of time or the time of day in which an employee can 

be exposed. Examples of administrative controls are:

• Employee rotation

• Rescheduling work in area to times when air 

contaminant levels are low
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

What guidance is available on the type of engineering and

administrative controls that may need to be put in place?

Potential sources for this type of information include:

• Trade associations.

• Manufacturers or suppliers of materials or equipment

associated with the creation of air contaminants.

• Your workers’ compensation insurance carrier.

• OSHA Consultation Program (See http://www.osha.

gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html) for the list of:

- states with consultation programs

- industrial hygiene consultants.

(a)(2) Providing employees with respirators

You must provide respirators when such equipment is

necessary to protect the health of employees. The 

respirator provided must be suitable for its intended

purpose. When you are required to provide respirators,

you must establish and maintain a respiratory 

protection program.

The requirements for a respiratory protection 

program are described in Section (c) of this guide.

How do I know if the Respiratory Protection standard

applies to me?

You should use the information collected through the

steps covered in paragraph (a)(1) to determine whether

the Respiratory Protection standard applies to you. 

For example, information on the type and levels of 

hazardous airborne exposures in your workplace and

on the engineering and administrative controls 

available to you should be used when evaluating the

need for a respirator program.

The vendor who supplies your engineering controls

may be able to help you determine whether the controls

will adequately protect your employees from respiratory hazards. You must evaluate the level of contamination in your workplace after the engineering controls

are installed, as explained in Section (d) of this guide.

How do I know what type of respirator is suitable for

protecting the employees’ health?

Proper selection of respiratory protection equipment 

involves the evaluation of the workplace environment,

types of job functions that are performed in the 

workplace, identification of reasonably foreseeable

emergencies, employee health conditions, and unique

facial characteristics that may affect proper use. Section

(d) of this guide provides further information about 

selecting a suitable respirator.

CHECKLIST FOR PERMISSIBLE PRACTICE

√ Check all that apply:

Hazard Determination

Is there a hazardous atmosphere in your workplace,

which has (check all that apply): 

q Insufficient oxygen

q Harmful levels of chemical, biological, or 

radiological contaminants

q Known and reasonably foreseeable emergencies 

related to...

q Unknown exposure levels or exposures to 

substances without an OSHA PEL

If you did not check any of the boxes above, the 

Respiratory Protection standard does not apply to

your workplace.

If you checked any of the boxes above, the Respiratory Protection standard may apply to your workplace.

OSHA requires use of the following methods to control the hazardous atmosphere(s) in your workplace:

q Engineering controls, such as ventilation, isolation

or enclosure of the work process, or substitution of

non-hazardous materials for the materials that pose

respiratory hazards; and 

q Administrative controls, such as worker rotation,

or scheduling major maintenance for weekends or

times when few workers are present.

When engineering controls are not feasible, or 

while engineering controls are being installed or

maintained, or whenever there is an emergency, 

appropriate respirators must be used.

Does your workplace have (check the box to indicate

yes, and check all that apply):

q Sufficient engineering controls to prevent illness

or diseases caused by breathing hazardous air in the

workplace 

q Sufficient administrative controls to prevent illness

If you did not check both of the boxes above, 

the Respiratory Protection standard does apply to

your workplace, and you must develop a written 

respiratory protection program that is specific to 

your workplace.
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Additionally, you are required to ensure that certain

requirements of the respiratory protection program are

followed by employees who wear a respirator voluntarily (that is, they wear respirators even though respirator

use is not required by either you or OSHA).

(c)(1) Program development and implementation

You are required to develop and implement a written

respiratory protection program and to update it as 

necessary.

Program Development

You must develop a written respiratory protection 

program that includes procedures for the use of 

respirators in any work area where protection from 

airborne hazards is required. The procedures in your

program must be specific to your particular workplace.

All required elements of the respiratory protection 

program must be in writing.

Why a written program?

The program must be in writing because health 

and safety programs are usually more effectively

implemented and evaluated if the procedures are 

available in a written form for study and review. Also, a

written respiratory protection program is the best way

to ensure that the unique characteristics of the worksite

are taken into account. Developing the written program

encourages you to thoroughly assess and document 

information pertaining to respiratory hazards posed to

your employees both during normal operating conditions and during reasonably foreseeable emergencies.

Program Content

You are required to include procedures for the following

elements (as applicable) in your respiratory protection

program:

• Selecting appropriate respirators for use in the

workplace.

• Training employees in the proper use of respirators

(including putting them on and removing them), the

limitations on their use, and their maintenance.

• Providing medical evaluation of employees who

must use respirators.

• Fit testing tight-fitting respirators.

• Using respirators properly in routine situations as

well as in reasonably foreseeable emergencies.

• Ensuring adequate air supply, quantity, and flow of

breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators.

• Establishing and adhering to schedules for cleaning,

disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, removing

from service or discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators. 

Is employee rotation acceptable as an interim 

administrative control while engineering control 

measures are being developed and implemented?

Rotation is an acceptable practice for less-toxic 

contaminants. It is never permitted for protection

against cancer-causing substances. In addition, many 

of OSHA’s substance-specific health standards contain

ceiling limits that may limit the use of employee 

rotation. If respirators are also necessary to protect the

health of the employee while engineering controls are

being developed, they must be provided.

Section (b): Definitions

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

contains definitions of terms used in the text of the

standard. The definitions clarify the requirements of 

the standard. The definitions from the final Respiratory

Protection standard (63 FR 1152; January 8, 1998), and

from the final Assigned Protection Factors standard 

(71 FR 50122; August 24, 2006), have been combined

under Attachment 1 to facilitate ease of use. 

The terms are contained in paragraph (b) of the

standard. The full text of the final Respiratory Protection

standard (63 FR 1152), with the new definitions and

Table of APF values (Assigned Protection Factors 

standard), 71 FR 50122, is provided in Attachment 3. 

As OSHA developed this Small Entity Compliance

Guide, the sections were written using the terms from

the standard. As you review this document, if you have

any questions about a term that is used, you should 

review the definition of the term in Attachment 1 to 

clarify exactly what is being discussed. The terms 

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and Employee 

Exposure are both defined (see Attachment 1 of this

guide.) PELs are OSHA’s enforceable exposure limit 

values and should not be confused with threshold

limit/exposure limit values (TLVs) or recommended 

exposure limits (RELs). These and other terms from the

APF standard can be found in Attachment 1 of this

guide.

Section (c): Respiratory protection 

program

Whenever respirator use is required by the employer or

by OSHA, this section of the Respiratory Protection

standard dictates that the employer must:

• Develop a written respiratory protection program

with procedures that are specific to your worksite; 

• Implement the program and update it as necessary;

and

• Assign a qualified program administrator to run and

evaluate the program.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

• Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program.

The checklist in this section on establishing a written

respiratory protection program at page 16 provides a

quick list to use for guidance on the required content of

the respiratory protection program.

Program Implementation and Updating

Once you have established a written program that 

covers all the required elements that apply to your

workplace, you then must ensure that the program is

appropriately implemented. Implementation of the 

program must be administered and overseen by your

program administrator. 

Once your program has been implemented you

must ensure that it is updated as necessary to reflect

relevant changes in the workplace. That is, you need to

revise the elements of the program that have been 

affected by changes that relate to respiratory hazards 

in work areas. For example, you need to revise the 

appropriate sections of your written program if new

processes or new chemicals are introduced into the

workplace that could impact respirator use.

In addition, if you make any changes in the types 

of respirators used or in any of the other elements of

the respiratory protection program, you must make 

appropriate revisions to the written program and 

ensure that they are implemented.

(c)(2) Where respirator use is not required

Voluntary use is when an employee chooses to wear 

a respirator even though the use of a respirator is not

required by either you or by an OSHA standard.

What is meant by voluntary use of respirator 

equipment?

Where respirator use is not required, you must ensure

that all employees who use a respirator voluntarily 

are provided with certain basic information on proper 

respirator use. Additionally, you must ensure that 

employees are included in your program provisions for

medical evaluations, and for cleaning, storage, and

maintenance of respirators, as applicable.

Providing basic information to voluntary respirator

users

You may allow an employee to use a respirator voluntarily if you determine that the respirator itself will not

present: a hazard to the employee due to misuse; other

hazards or conditions in the workplace; or a hazard to

an individual employee, based on medical conditions.

In such cases, you may provide employees with 

respirators or allow them to use their own respiratory

protection. (See (c)(2) of the standard.) If you allow

such use of a respirator, you must provide the voluntary

respirator user with the advisory information in 

Appendix D of the standard. This appendix provides

basic information on the proper use of respirators for

employees who are voluntary users of the equipment

and thus are not required to undergo training. These

precautions can be presented to the employee either

verbally or in a written form. (See section (k) of this

guide on Training and information.)

Applicable components of the respiratory protection

program

You must ensure that the following elements of your

respiratory protection program are implemented for

voluntary respirator users:

(i) If filtering facepieces are the only respirator being

worn voluntarily, you are only required to provide the

employee with a copy of Appendix D and make sure

that the respirator itself is not creating a hazard, such 

as dermatitis from a dirty respirator.

(ii) Elements of the program that apply to voluntary

users (using respirators other than filtering facepieces

(i.e., dust masks) involve:

• Provisions for medical evaluation of employees.

• Establishing and adhering to schedules for cleaning,

disinfecting, storing, inspecting, repairing, removing

from service or discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators. 

Implementation of the elements of the program 

for a voluntary respirator user will ensure that the 

respirator is used properly and does not create a hazard

to the user. 

• A dirty respirator could cause dermatitis.

• A dirty or poorly disinfected respirator could cause

an unnecessary inhalation hazard.

• A respirator wearer’s health could be jeopardized

due to an undetected medical condition (e.g.,

asthma, heart condition.)

What types of respirators do the voluntary use 

requirements apply to?

This requirement applies primarily to tight-fitting 

negative pressure APRs, but would also apply to 

powered APRs if an employee elected to voluntarily 

use this type of respirator. 

Do I need to have a written respiratory protection 

program if only voluntary users wear respirators at 

my facility?

No, if the only respirators being worn voluntarily are 

filtering facepieces (dust masks).

Yes, if other respirators, such as elastomeric APRs or

powered APRs, are being used voluntarily. In this case,
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your written program needs to include only the 

elements that pertain to voluntary users, e.g., a section

on medical evaluations, and one on inspection, care,

and maintenance.

When employees choose to voluntarily use respirators in the workplace, you must provide the employee

with a copy of the mandatory document found in 

Appendix D of the standard.

Who is responsible for any costs associated with 

voluntary use of a respirator?

You are not required to pay for filtering facepiece 

respirators used voluntarily by employees. 

If the employer determines that any voluntary 

respirator use is permissible, the employer must 

provide the respirator users with the information 

contained in Appendix D of the standard (“Information

for Employees Using Respirators When Not Required

Under the Standard.”)

If you permit the use of respirators other than 

filtering facepieces, you must pay for required medical

evaluations for voluntary users and provide voluntary

users with appropriate facilities and time to clean, 

disinfect, maintain, and store respirators.

(c)(3) Program administrator

You must designate a program administrator to run the

program and evaluate its effectiveness.

An individual is qualified to be a program 

administrator if he or she has appropriate training or

experience in accord with the program’s level of 

complexity. This training or experience is appropriate 

if it enables the program administrator to fulfill the 

minimum requirements of recognizing, evaluating, and

controlling the hazards in your workplace. For example,

if your program requires air-supplying respirators for

use in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)

environments, your program administrator must have

training and experience pertaining to the use of this

type of equipment. Similarly, if you do not use airsupplying respirators and do not have significant 

respiratory hazards at your workplace, someone with

less experience or training might be able to effectively

serve in this position.

Ultimately, the appropriate qualifications for your

program administrator must be determined based on

the particular respiratory hazards that exist, or that are

reasonably anticipated, at your workplace.

How do I, or a designated employee, become a 

qualified program administrator?

If your workers are exposed only to nuisance dusts and

relatively low-toxicity materials, and they use only a few

types of relatively simple respirators, knowledge of this

guide and materials supplied by the manufacturer may

be sufficient for you, or a designated employee, to

serve as the program administrator.

If more dangerous substances are present, if the 

potential for high exposures exists, or if more complex

respirators are used, the program administrator must

have more extensive experience and/or training. In

these circumstances, you may need to seek out the 

expertise needed or obtain appropriate training.

Is there a list of approved training courses my program

administrator can attend?

No, OSHA does not provide a training course 

specifically to train respiratory protection program 

administrators, nor does OSHA require program 

administrators to attend a specified course. OSHA 

only requires the program administrator to have an 

adequate level of training or experience to deal with 

the complexity of the respiratory protection program 

at the worksite.

You may want to check with trade associations or

adult education programs run by universities or technical and vocational schools in your area. The OSHA 

Consultation Program can help you identify appropriate

training courses, or, if you hire a consultant to help you

with your respiratory protection program, he or she

may be able to provide training.

How will OSHA determine that a person is experienced

and/or trained to be a respiratory protection program

administrator?

Usually, the OSHA compliance officer will review the

written program and interview the respiratory protection program administrator. Questions asked during the

interview are likely to focus on determining how familiar the program administrator is with the OSHA Respiratory Protection standard and the use and application

of the respirators at the particular workplace. Significant

deficiencies in the written program also could indicate a

lack of training and understanding of the standard.

Only one person can fulfill the primary responsibilities of running the program, unless your company 

has more than one worksite. In that case, you may 

have a program administrator for each site. Ordinarily,

however, you cannot divide the responsibilities among

several employees. Requiring an administrator with

sole responsibility helps ensure the integrity of the program by maintaining continuous oversight from one

person. Nonetheless, the administrator may rely on

other employees to help run parts of the respiratory

protection program (e.g., fit testing, medical evaluations).

One of the program administrator’s primary responsibilities is to evaluate the program. Although OSHA
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

recognizes the value of an objective assessment, the

Agency did not want to burden small businesses with

the cost of arranging for an outside party to conduct 

the evaluations, and the standard, therefore, allows 

program administrators to perform the program 

evaluations required under the standard.

(c)(4) Employer-provided respirators

You must provide respirators, training, and medical

evaluations at no cost to employees who are required

to wear a respirator for protection from respiratory 

hazards at your workplace. This requirement reflects

the philosophy that employers are obligated to provide

and pay for necessary personal protective equipment

(such as respirators) used by employees on the job.

Section (d): Respirator selection

This paragraph requires the employer to evaluate 

respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify relevant

workplace and user factors, and base respirator 

selection on these factors. The paragraph also specifies

respirators for use in IDLH atmospheres, and limits the

selection and use of air-purifying respirators.

(d)(1)(i) General guidelines for selection

You must base selections of respirators on the hazards

to which your employees are exposed and must 

consider how workplace and user factors affect 

respirator performance and reliability.

What are workplace and user factors?

Workplace factors refer to the actual workplace facility

and its geographic characteristics, among other factors.

User factors refer to the distinguishing characteristics of

the individual employee. Some examples include the

following:

• The level of the contaminant in relation to the APF of

available respirators

• The conditions of the workplace (e.g., size, configuration, temperature, humidity) of the workspace

- Are employees equipped with atmospheresupplying respirators able to fit into any tight

space in your workplace?

- Would the temperature and humidity affect the effectiveness of filters, cartridges, and other respirator parts, as well as the comfort of the wearer?

• Ease of employee communication

- Are your employees wearing respirators able to

communicate with one another and warn one 

another of hazards?

• Ease or difficulty of the work or rate of activity 

- Are your employees doing heavy lifting that 

may deplete the air supply of a self-contained

breathing apparatus (SCBA)? 

- Would a fast work pace lead to discomfort, 

causing the employee to move the respirator 

and, thus, affect the protection afforded by the 

respirator?

• The type of workplace tasks and proximity to the

source of contamination (e.g., cutting wood on a

band saw would differ from hand polishing a wood

veneer on furniture.) 

- Would hospital emergency medical staff be close

to infectious clients? 

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

PROGRAMS

√ Does your program contain written procedures for

(check all that apply):

q Your specific workplace

q Selecting respirators

q Medical evaluations of employees required to 

wear respirators

q Fit testing

q Routine and emergency respirator use

q Schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, 

inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining 

respirators 

q Ensuring adequate air quality for supplied-air 

respirators

q Training in respiratory hazards

q Training in proper use and maintenance of 

respirators 

q Program evaluation

q Ensuring that employes who voluntarily wear 

respirators (excluding filtering facepieces) comply 

with the medical evaluation and cleaning, storing 

and maintenance requirements of the standard

q A designated program administrator who is 

qualified to administer the program

q Updating the written program as necessary to 

account for changes in the workplace affecting 

respirator use

q Providing equipment, training and medical 

evaluations at no cost to employees

If you did not check all of the boxes above, your 

respiratory protection program does not meet OSHA

standards.
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• The location and movement of other personnel and

equipment 

- Would the mobility of your employees or the 

presence of moving machinery entangle the 

airlines of atmosphere-supplying respirators?

(d)(1)(ii) Selected respirator must be certified by 

the National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH)

All respirators must be certified by NIOSH and used in

compliance with the conditions of certification.

(d)(1)(iii) Employers need to identify and evaluate

worksite hazards

• Identify the respiratory hazards to which your 

employees are exposed and evaluate these hazards.

• Determine the state and physical form of the 

respiratory hazard. 

- Are they solids, liquids, or gases?

- Are they particulate, radioactive or chemical 

substances? 

• Estimate or measure employee exposures to the

hazards.

• Assume IDLH atmospheres if unable to estimate an

employee’s exposure.

Potential Respiratory Hazards:

Listed below are potential respiratory hazards:

Dusts and fibers are solid particles dispersed into the

workplace atmosphere through mechanical processes

such as crushing, grinding, drilling, abrading, blasting,

shaking or physiological processes such as coughing,

sneezing. Examples include: silica, metal dust in 

baghouses, and asbestos. Once an employee’s hands

and garments, boots, and respirators are contaminated

with lead or asbestos, other employees can also be 

exposed just by handling, or shaking, the contaminated

equipment. 

Biological hazards include living organisms such as

bacteria (e.g., Legionella pneumophila which causes 

Legionnaires’ Disease), viruses (e.g., coronavirus which

causes severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]),

fungi, and other organisms, as well as dead organisms

or parts of organisms. Examples of the latter include

ground parts of plants (e.g., flour) and parts of animals

(e.g., dead skin cells/dander).

Fumes are solid particles that are formed when a metal

or other solid vaporizes and the molecules condense (or

solidify) in cool air. Examples are metal fumes from

smelting or welding. Fumes also may be formed from

processes such as plastic injection or extrusion molding.

Mists are tiny droplets of liquid suspended in the air. 

Oil mists can be produced from lubricants used in

metal-cutting operations, acid mists from electroplating, and paint-spray mist from spraying operations.

Gases are materials that exist as individual molecules in

the air at room temperature. Examples are welding

gases, such as acetylene and nitrogen, and carbon

monoxide produced from internal combustion engines.

Vapors are the gaseous form of substances that are

normally in the solid or liquid state at room temperature and pressure. They are formed by evaporation.

Most solvents produce vapors. Examples include

toluene and methylene chloride.

Suggestions for Measuring or Making “Reasonable” 

Estimates of Employee Exposures

• Personal monitoring is the most accurate way of obtaining employee exposure information. Sampling

equipment and analytical methods are available for

substances regulated by OSHA’s Air Contaminants

standard (29 CFR 1910.1000 and 29 CFR 1926.55).

OSHA has specific monitoring requirements for its

substance-specific standards (e.g., benzene or asbestos). See subpart Z of 29 CFR parts 1910 and

1926, for OSHA’s substance-specific standards. 

• If there is no specific monitoring requirement, you

can also estimate exposures by monitoring fixed 

locations or by sampling for short time periods. If

you do this, you should measure under worst-case

conditions to be sure that you are providing adequate protection for your employees. For example,

even though employees generally move about and

do not spend most of their work shift near the

source of emissions, if you select a respirator based

on a reading obtained from a fixed sample collected

close to the source of the emission, the respirator

selected is more likely to provide adequate 

employee protection. Similarly, although process

emissions under non-peak conditions will obviously

be less than at peak conditions, a respirator selected

on the basis of a reading obtained from a spot sample taken when the emissions are highest (when the

process is operating at peak conditions) is more

likely to provide sufficient protection. 

• Data may be available from previous exposure

measurements. For example, studies may have

been conducted in your industry. Your trade 

association may have data, or manufacturers of

products or materials used in your workplace may

have conducted laboratory tests that provide 

employee exposure data. To generalize from data

obtained from these sources or an industry-wide

survey, however, you must show that the conditions
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

that existed in the survey, such as the processes,

types of materials, control methods, work practices,

and environmental conditions, are similar to those

in your own workplace.

• You should be aware that exposures can be quite

variable from day to day and from employee to 

employee. It is, therefore, important always to err 

on the side of over- rather than under-protection.

• You may wish to consult with health and safety 

professionals in evaluating exposures. However,

consultation is not mandatory. The respiratory 

protection program administrator should have the

necessary qualifications. You can often obtain assistance through the OSHA Consultation Program. A

list of Consultation Programs is included under 

Attachment 2. An additional source of assistance

might be your insurance carrier.

• You may be able to demonstrate, through information on processes and reasonable assumptions

about potential maximum use concentrations

(MUCs), that IDLH conditions would not occur.

Under such a scenario, after a thorough review of

relevant information, you may be able to place 

values on the unknown exposures. That is, you 

may be able to reduce, delineate, or eliminate the

unknown exposures. After review of all available

material, you need to make reasonable assumptions

and develop conservative estimates. The material

you used and the assumptions and findings you 

relied upon in place of a measurement of an 

employee’s exposures should be in your written

program. If new materials and sources of information are generated or conditions or processes or

types of materials used in your processes change, or

if new cases of airborne illness occur, you need to

review and possibly update your written program.

If you do not know your employees’ exposure levels

You must consider the worksite atmosphere Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health, (IDLH), and select 

respirators on that basis. IDLH means an atmosphere

that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause 

irreversible adverse health effects, or would impair an

individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous 

atmosphere (29 CFR 1910.134, paragraph d).

(d)(1)(iv)You must provide a sufficient number of

respirators to correctly fit the user

A sufficient number of respirator models and sizes must

be available to employees so that they can find the 

respirator that is acceptable to, and correctly fits, them.

(d)(2) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres 

(d)(2)(i) Types of respirators

Atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life or

health (IDLH) require the highest level of respiratory

protection and reliability. You must provide either of the

following for use in IDLH environments: 

• Full-facepiece pressure-demand SCBAs that are certified by NIOSH for a minimum service life of 30

minutes. 

• Combination full-facepiece pressure-demand supplied-air respirators with auxiliary self-contained air

supply.

(d)(2)(ii) Respirators for escape from IDLH atmospheres must be NIOSH-certified for escape from the

atmosphere in which they will be used

For example, for formaldehyde exposures, escape 

respirators may be full-facepiece with chin style, front,

or back-mounted industrial-size canister approved for

protection against formaldehyde (29 CFR 1910.1048 at:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_ 

document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10075).

(d)(2)(iii) You must consider all oxygen deficient 

atmospheres to be IDLH

Atmosphere-supplying respirators must be used in 

oxygen deficient atmospheres (where oxygen is less

than 19.5%). Employers must provide employees with

full-facepiece pressure demand SCBAs or combination

full-facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirators

with auxiliary self-contained air supply. There is an 

exception that applies to well-controlled atmospheres,

where the reason for the oxygen levels being reduced

below 19.5% is known and the reduced oxygen level 

is stable and not changing. (You may use any atmosphere-supplying respirator if you can demonstrate that,

under all reasonably foreseeable conditions, the oxygen

concentration in the work area can be maintained

within the ranges specified in Table II of 29 CFR

1910.134.) (See also Table II.)

Work operations being conducted in well-controlled

atmospheres where oxygen levels are deficient (below

19.5 percent) are typically permit-required confined

spaces. (See OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Space

standard, 29 CFR 1910.146 at: http://www.osha.gov/

pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table= 

STANDARDS&p_id=9797.)

(d)(3) Respirators for non-IDLH atmospheres 

(d)(3)(i) You must provide respirators that are 

adequate to protect employee health and ensure
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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compliance with all other OSHA requirements under

routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency 

situations

The General Duty Clause of the OSH Act requires you to

protect your employees from all hazardous substances,

even those not regulated by OSHA. Consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) sent by your supplier if

you have questions about the toxicity of a particular

substance. For further assistance in ascertaining

whether substances used in your workplace that are not

regulated by OSHA are hazardous, you may contact

OSHA. (See list of OSHA Offices at page 118.)

Other OSHA regulations that might apply include

the Air Contaminants standard, 29 CFR 1910.1000, the

substance-specific standards, appropriate safety 

regulations such as the Hazardous Waste Operations

and Emergency Response standard, 29 CFR 1910.120,

paragraph (g)(2), and many construction and maritime

standards.

What is a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)?

Employee exposure means exposure to a concentration

of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the 

employee were not using respiratory protection. OSHA

permissible exposure limits (PELs) establish the 

maximum level of a specific airborne hazard that an

employee can be exposed to, averaged over an 8-hour

workday (8-hour time-weighted average, or TWA) or

over a specified portion of a workday (e.g., a 15-minute

short-term exposure limit, or STEL). Likewise, the action

level (AL), which is one-half the PEL, is calculated in the

same manner as the PEL, and is the level at or above

which provisions of substance-specific standards can

be triggered. (PELs are listed in 29 CFR 1910.1000, and

1926.55. See also the substance-specific standards 

for general industry, maritime, longshoring, and 

construction.)

(d)(3)(i)(A) You must select respirators according to

Assigned Protection Factors (APF)

Selection of respirators must be made in accordance

with the assigned protection factor (APF) of the 

respirator, as well as the workplace and exposure 

factors. (See final APF standard; 71 FR 50122.) 

APF means the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class of respirators is expected

to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection 

program as specified by 29 CFR 1910.134.

Employers must use the APFs listed in Table I, at page

24, to select a respirator that meets or exceeds the 

required level of employee protection. When using a

combination respirator (e.g., airline respirators with an

air-purifying filter), employers must ensure that the APF

is appropriate to the mode of operation in which the 

respirator is being used. 

A copy of the new APF table is provided below, at page

24, in section (d) of this guide. Footnote 4 of Table I

relates to the testing of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) and Supplied-air Respirators (SAR) with 

helmets or hoods to demonstrate that these respirators

can perform at the higher APF of 1,000 instead of the

overall APF of 25 for this class. As a result of OSHA’s

rulemaking, the 25/1000 APF is given to some hood/

helmet PAPRs and supplied-air respirators (SARs).

(d)(3)(i)(B) You must select respirators after 

considering the Maximum Use Concentrations in

your workplace under which respirators are used

Maximum use concentration (MUC) means the 

maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous

substance from which an employee can be expected 

to be protected when wearing a respirator, and is 

determined by the assigned protection factor of the 

respirator or class of respirators and the exposure limit

of the hazardous substance. The MUC usually can be

determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned

protection factor specified for a respirator by the 

permissible exposure limit, short-term exposure limit,

ceiling limit, peak limit, or any other exposure limit

used for the hazardous substance. Basically, under the

MUC, employers must: (1) 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 MUC; (2) not apply MUCs

to conditions that are immediately dangerous to life or

health (IDLH); instead, they must use respirators listed

for IDLH conditions in paragraph (d)(2) of the Respiratory Protection standard; and, (3) set the maximum

MUC at that lower limit when the calculated MUC 

exceeds the IDLH level for a hazardous substance, or

the performance limits of the cartridge or canister. 

How to use APFs and MUCs

APFs are used to select the appropriate class of respirators that will provide the necessary level of protection

under routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency

situations. The airborne hazardous exposure can be

from a particulate or a gas or vapor. The APF for the

class of respirators will remain the same. The APF value

can only be applied to a class of respirators when the

respirators are properly selected and used in compliance with the Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR

1910.134). Also, for gases and vapors, additional cartridges and canisters may by needed. (see paragraph

(d)(3)(iii); see change schedules of this guide.) 
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

OSHA PELs (permissible exposure limits) establish the

maximum level of a specific airborne hazard that an

employee can be exposed to, averaged over an 8-hour

workday (8-hour time-weighted average, or TWA) or

over a specified portion of a workday (for example, a

15-minute short-term exposure limit, or STEL). (PELs

are listed in 29 CFR 1910.1000, and 1926.55. Also see

the substance-specific standards for general industry

and construction.)

The MUC for respirators is calculated by multiplying the

APF for the respirator by the PEL. The MUC is the

upper exposure limit at which the class of respirator is

expected to provide protection. Whenever the exposures approach the MUC, then the employer should

consider selecting the next higher class of respirators

for the employees. 

MUCs for mixtures must satisfy the following equation:

Em = (C1 divided by L1 + C2 divided by L2) +.....(Cn divided

by Ln)

Where: 

Em is the equivalent exposure for the mixture

C is the concentration of a particulate contaminant

L is the exposure limit for that substance

The value of Em shall not exceed unity (1).

There are exceptions to this equation, or situations

in which it is inappropriate to use this equation. 

Examples of such situations are:

• Whenever an APF=10 times the PEL puts the 

employee into an IDLH atmosphere or puts them

into a lower explosive limit (LEL) situation, then a

negative pressure respirator must not be used.

• OSHA does not allow negative pressure respirators

to be used for methylene chloride (except for 

emergency escape), so if employees are exposed

above the PEL they are already in violation of the

methylene chloride standard [(29 CFR 1910.1052(g)(2)

rather than 1910.134(d)(3)(B)]. Using the MUC 

calculation for a half facepiece negative pressure

respirator used for MeCl would be an example an 

inappropriate use of the MUC. 

• For a mixture of toluene and xylene, a half facepiece

respirator should be allowed to be used in a mixture

situation as long as C1/L1 + C2/L2 was less than E

times the APF (10), e.g., 300ppm Toluene /100ppm

PEL + 650ppm Xylene/100ppm PEL = 9.5, so the 

respirator could be used “according to the MUC 

calculation.” However, this concentration would be

extremely irritating to the eyes, and a full facepiece

would be more appropriate.

(d)(3)(ii) You must select respirators that are 

appropriate for the chemical state and physical 

form of the contaminant 

You need different types of filters, cartridges, and 

canisters depending on whether dusts, fumes, mists,

vapors, or gases are present in your workplace and 

depending on the kinds and concentrations of substances present. (See paragraph (d)(1)(iii).)

(d)(3)(iii) Respiratory protection for gases and 

vapors

For protection against gases and vapors, employers

must provide:

A. an atmosphere-supplying respirator, or

B. an air-purifying respirator that:

1) has an NIOSH-certified end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI), or

2) if there is no ESLI, employers must calculate the

service life of canisters and cartridges for employees

who are wearing respirators.

You do not want to have situations where the 

canisters or cartridges become saturated and the gases

or vapors break through, allowing the contaminants 

to get inside the respirator and into your workers’

breathing zones.

What is an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI)?

An ESLI is a mechanism for warning the user that a 

respirator is approaching the end of its ability to 

provide protection. The warning appears on the 

cartridge itself. For example, after a period of use, an 

indicator on a cartridge with sorbent material will signal

that protection against organic vapors is approaching

saturation or is no longer effective. (The ESLI for a 

carbon-monoxide canister involves a color change

when the sorbent material is exhausted.)

The final standard requires the use of ESLIs where they

are available and appropriate for the employer’s workplace, whether or not warning properties exist for a

contaminant. If there is no ESLI available, the employer

is required to develop a cartridge/canister change

schedule based on available information and data that

describe the service life of the sorbent elements against

the contaminant present in the employer’s workplace

and that will ensure that sorbent elements are replaced

before they are exhausted. Reliance on odor thresholds

and other warning properties is not permitted in the

final rule as the sole basis for determining that an airpurifying respirator will afford adequate protection

against exposure to gas and vapor contaminants. 

To the extent that NIOSH-certified end of-service-life 

indicators are available, OSHA finds that there are 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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considerable benefits to their use. Thus far, however,

NIOSH has only certified ESLIs for a few cartridges or

canisters (for example, mercury vapor, carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide and hydrogen sulfide). Therefore,

employers are more likely to have to establish change

schedules to ensure that cartridges and canisters are

changed before their end-of-service-life.

Why not just rely on the worker’s ability to detect the

odor of the substance when the gas or vapor breaks

through?

You may not rely on the detection of odor as protection

against respiratory hazards posed by gases and vapors

because:

• Most toxic substances do not have appropriate 

sensory (odor or irritant) warning properties.

• Some chemicals have odors that are only detectable

above their established exposure limits, meaning

that the employees will smell the chemical only after

they have already been exposed to unsafe levels of

the contaminant. 

• An individual’s ability to perceive particular odors

may differ quite markedly from the population 

average due to any of a variety of innate, chronic, or

acute physiological conditions. For example, about

10 percent of people have a markedly impaired

sense of smell.

• There is no good screening mechanism to identify

persons with sensory-receptor problems. 

Continuing exposure to the odor usually results in

diminution or even disappearance of the smell 

sensation. This phenomenon is known as olfactory

fatigue. When this happens, the employee unknowingly gets used to the contaminant breaking through

the cartridge/canister and loses the ability to detect

its smell.

What must be considered when developing change

schedules?

Employers must develop cartridge-change schedules

based on available data or information that can be 

relied upon to ensure that cartridges are changed 

before the end of their useful service life.

You need to consider the following factors in developing change schedules:

q The contaminants the respirator is to protect 

against.

q The concentrations of contaminants in the work 

area.

q Frequency of use (e.g., is the respirator used 

continuously or intermittently throughout the 

shift);

q Temperature, humidity and air flow through the 

cartridge or canister.

q Employees’ work rates.

q The presence of other potentially interfering 

substances.

You should assume worst-case conditions to avoid

breakthrough earlier than anticipated.

You should document the information relied upon

and the basis for the change schedules you use in your

written respiratory protection program.

Where can I get help for developing change schedules?

You need to consult with your respirator supplier or

manufacturer for guidance on developing change

schedules specific to your work conditions. Some 

suppliers have prepared materials that may assist you

with developing change schedules for your worksite.

Other possible sources of help include your trade 

associations, which may be gathering published information, such as breakthrough test data (i.e., how long it

takes a substance to break through the cartridge or canister and get into the facepiece). There is a model (the

MultiVapor model) for estimating cartridge and canister

breakthrough periods for gases and/or vapors. The 

software is available from NIOSH. (See information

from NIOSH on the MultiVapor model at Attachment 5

in this guide.)

Furthermore, a specific rule of thumb also will help 

employers determine cartridge and canister schedules.

These are as follows:

Rule of Thumb

Experimental work can allow for a generalization 

or “rule of thumb” that broadly covers service life of

cartridges exposed to chemicals. One such Rule of

Thumb for estimating vapor cartridge service life 

is found in chapter 36 of the American Industrial 

Hygiene Association publication “The Occupational

Environment – Its Evaluation and Control.”

It suggests that:

• If the chemical’s boiling point is > 70° C and 

the concentration is less than 200 ppm you can

expect a service life of 8 hours at a normal work

rate.

• Service life is inversely proportional to work rate.

• Reducing concentration by a factor of 10 will 

increase service life by a factor of 5.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

• Humidity above 85% will reduce service life by

50%.

These generalizations can be used in concert with

other methods of predicting service life for specific

contaminants.

Whenever a cartridge has become saturated or a

contaminant has broken through the cartridge, the 

respirator must be taken out of service so that the 

cartridge can be replaced.

In general, The MultiVapor model (Attachment 5)

and The Rule of Thumb can be used to calculate the

service life of a respirator cartridge or canister, when

the calculations are made using information about the

canisters or cartridges themselves in combination with

additional information about the workplace conditions.

The information about the canisters or cartridges may

be obtained from the respirator manufacturers. Calculations for either the MultiVapor model or the Rule of

Thumb require information about the workplace, as

well. The Rule of Thumb provides a rough estimate 

of the service life. Attachment 5 is a NIOSH table of 

cartridges and canisters by APFs that may provide 

assistance as well.

(d)(3)(iv) Respiratory protection for particulates

What are my options for protection against 

particulates?

You have three options:

• Atmosphere-supplying respirators.

• Air-purifying respirators (including filtering facepieces) 

- with filters certified by NIOSH under 30 CFR part 11

as high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA), or 

- filters certified by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84.

• Air-purifying respirators with any filter certified for

particulates by NIOSH for protection against 

contaminants consisting primarily of particles with

mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD) of at

least two micrometers (μm).

Local OSHA offices can help to determine whether

or not contaminants in your workplace consist primarily

of particles of two micrometers or more. 

What types of particulate filters are available for airpurifying respirators (APRs)?

Particulate-removing filters are used to protect employees from toxic dusts and fibers, such as lead and 

asbestos, fumes, mists, and radioactive and biological

materials (such as grain dusts, bacteria, and viruses).

Powered and non-powered APRs require different 

particulate filters. Appropriate protection against particulates for powered APRs is provided by HEPA filters.

There are nine filter types for use with non-powered

APRs approved by NIOSH, and they are based on three

levels of filter efficiency and three levels of resistance to

degradation by oil. The three levels of filter efficiency

are 95, 99, and 99.97 percent and are referred to as 95,

99 and 100 filters, respectively. The efficiency of a filter

is based upon the percent of the most penetrating size

particle (0.3 micrometers in diameter) that it can 

exclude (e.g., a 95 filter can exclude 95% of particles of

this size). 

The three levels of oil resistance are N (not oil 

resistant), R (oil resistant) and P (oilproof). The most

common commercially available cartridges are the

“N95” (not oil resistant and 95 percent efficient) and

“P100” (oilproof and 99.97 percent efficient). N-series 

Particulate Percentage (%) of Not resistant Somewhat Strongly

Respirator 0.3 μm airborne to oil resistant to oil resistant to oil

Filter Type particles filtered out (oilproof)

N95 95 X

N99 99 X

N100 99.97 X

R95 95 X

R99 99 X

R100 99.97 X

P95 95 X

P99 99 X

P100 99.97 X

The P100 is comparable to the HEPA filter that is used with PAPRs. 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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filters are not required to demonstrate resistance to the

potentially “degrading” effects of oils and are, therefore, not intended for use in workplace atmospheres

that contain oily aerosols. In this context, “degrading”

means that exposure to an agent may cause an increase in filter penetration measured under laboratory

test conditions. R and P series filters must demonstrate

oil resistance when tested with dioctyl phthalate (DOP),

which is described as a “highly degrading” oil aerosol.

As a result, both R and P filters can be used in workplace atmospheres that contain oily aerosols, as well as

those that do not.

The nine different types of particulate respirator 

filter types are listed in the table on page 22.

Do I need to use particulate filters with ESLI?

There are no ESLI for particulate-removing filters. Workers should be trained to change the filters when they

experience difficulty breathing through the filter. This is

usually an indication that the filter has become loaded

with particulate.

Where can I go for help?

Sources of help include:

• NIOSH Respirator Selection Logic. U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute

for Occupational Safety and Health. Request DHHS

(NIOSH) Publication No. 2005-100. NIOSH also has

a help line. The telephone number is 1-800-35

NIOSH or http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-

100/default.html 

• American National Standard for Respiratory 

Protection (ANSI Z88.2). American National 

Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York,

New York, 10036. See: global.ihs.ANSI Z88.2

• Respirator manufacturers provide advice through

product literature, sales staff, and telephone help

lines. The Industrial Safety Equipment Association

(ISEA) has contact information. ISEA can be

reached at: 1901 N. Moore Street, Suite 808, 

Arlington, Virginia, 22209, or (703) 525-1695.

• Chemical manufacturers may provide information

on the nature and properties of substances to

which your employees may be exposed. You

should be able to obtain information from the 

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) provided by

the supplier of the substance.

• You can contact the American Conference of 

Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), 6500

Glenway Ave., Bldg. D-7, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45211-

4438, for advice and information on exposure

measurement and estimation and other related 

industrial hygiene subjects. ACGIH has published

the ACGIH Ventilation Manual, which contains 

calculations applied to certain situations to estimate

employee exposures.

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATOR SELECTION

√ Check that the following has been done at your 

facility:

q Respiratory hazards in your workplace have been 

identified and evaluated.

q Employee exposures that have not been, or 

cannot be, evaluated must be considered IDLH.

q Respirators are NIOSH-certified, and used under 

the conditions of certification.

q Respirators are selected based on the workplace 

hazards evaluated and workplace and user factors 

affecting respirator performance and reliability.

q Respirators are selected based on the APFs and 

calculated MUCs.

q A sufficient number of respirator sizes and models

are provided for selection purposes.

For IDLH atmospheres:

q Full facepiece pressure demand SARs with 

auxiliary SCBA unit or full facepiece pressure 

demand SCBAs, with a minimum service life of 

30 minutes, are provided.

q Respirators used for escape only are NIOSHcertified for the atmosphere in which they will 

be used.

q Oxygen deficient atmospheres must be 

considered IDLH (d)(2)(B)(iii).

For Non-IDLH atmospheres:

q Respirators selected are appropriate for the APFs 

and MUCs.

q Respirators selected are appropriate for the 

chemical nature and physical form of the 

contaminant.

q Air-purifying respirators used for protection 

against gases and vapors are equipped with ESLIs 

or a change schedule has been implemented.

q Air-purifying respirators used for protection 

against particulates are equipped with NIOSHcertified HEPA filters or other filters certified by 

NIOSH for particulates under 42 CFR part 84.

• You can also contact the American Industrial 

Hygiene Association (AIHA), 2700 Prosperity Ave.,

Suite 250, Fairfax, Virginia, 22031, for advice and 

information on exposure measurement and estimation. Members of AIHA’s Exposure Assessment

Strategies Committee are knowledgeable in 

worker exposure measurement and estimation.

(See: http://www.aiha.org/Content.)

• The National Library of Medicine provides free 

online help about chemical hazards. Through

TOXNET, located at: http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov, you

can search a number of databases on toxicology,

hazardous chemicals, hazardous biological atmospheres, and other related subjects for information

on respiratory hazards.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Table I: Assigned Protection Factors 5

Type of Respirator 1, 2 Quarter Mask Half Mask Full Facepiece Helmet/Hood Loose-Fitting Facepiece

1. Air-Purifying Respirator 5 103 50 — —

2. Powered Air-Purifying — 50 1,000 25/1,0004 25

Respirator (PAPR)

3. Supplied-Air Respirator 

(SAR) or Airline 

Respirator

• Demand mode — 10 50 — —

• Continuous flow mode — 50 1,000 25/1,0004 25

• Pressure-demand or — 50 1,000 — —

other positive pressure 

mode

4. Self-Contained Breathing 

Apparatus (SCBA) 

• Demand mode — 10 50 50 —

• Pressure-demand or — — 10,000 10,000 —

other positive pressure 

mode (e.g., open/closed 

circuit)

Notes:

1 Employers may select respirators assigned for use in higher workplace concentrations of a hazardous substance for

use at lower concentrations of that substance, or when required respirator use is independent of concentration.

2 The assigned protection factors in Table I are only effective when the employer implements a continuing, effective 

respirator program as required by this section (29 CFR 1910.134), including training, fit testing, maintenance, and use

requirements.

3 This APF category includes filtering facepieces, and half masks with elastomeric facepieces.

4 The employer must have evidence provided by the respirator manufacturer that testing of these respirators demonstrates performance at a level of protection of 1,000 or greater to receive an APF of 1,000. This level of performance can

best be demonstrated by performing a WPF or SWPF study or equivalent testing. Absent such testing, all other PAPRs

and SARs with helmets/hoods are to be treated as loose-fitting facepiece respirators, and receive an APF of 25. 

5 These APFs do not apply to respirators used solely for escape. For escape respirators used in association with specific

substances covered by 29 CFR 1910 subpart Z, employers must refer to the appropriate substance-specific standards in

that subpart. Escape respirators for other IDLH atmospheres are specified by 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(2)(ii).
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

2 5

Air-purifying respirators

Air-purifying respirators, which remove contaminants from the air.

Full Facepiece Elastomeric Respirator

APF=50 

Needs to be fit tested

Half mask Filtering Facepiece

Dust mask

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested 

Half mask Elastomeric Respirator

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-Fitting Full Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF=1,000

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-Fitting Half Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF=50

Needs to be fit tested

Original Illustrations created by Attiliis & Associates
2 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Examples of Air-purifying respirators that can not be fit tested 

because they are loose-fitting

Loose-Fitting Powered 

Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF=25

Hooded Powered Air-Purifying 

Respirator 

(PAPR) 

APF=25 (1,000)*

Atmosphere-supplying respirators

Atmosphere-supplying respirators, which provide clean air from an uncontaminated source

Tight-fitting Atmosphere-Supplying 

Respirator with an auxiliary escape 

bottle

APF=10,000 in escape mode only;

otherwise APF=1,000

Full facepiece 

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-fitting Self-Contained

Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 

pressure-demand mode

APF=10,000

Demand mode

APF=50 

Needs to be fit tested 

Tight-fitting Abrasive Blasting 

Respirator Continuous flow

APF=25/1,000*

SAR Full Facepiece

Needs to be fit tested**

* APF=25/1,000; Footnote 4 in the APF Table.

** One type of SAR Hood (not depicted) is a SAR with a loose hood; a loose-fitting SAR Hood looks much like this example, but 

without the tight-fitting facepiece, and does not need to be fit tested. For a loose-fitting facepiece SAR Hood the APF=25 unless the

respirator qualifies for a higher APF under Footnote 4.
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2 7

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Altitude (ft) Oxygen deficient atmospheres 

(% O2) for which the employer 

may rely on any atmospheresupplying respirator

Less than 3001 16.0-19.5

3001-4000 16.4-19.5

4001-5000 17.1-19.5

5001-6000 17.8-19.5

6001-7000 18.5-19.5

7001-80001 19.3-19.5

1Above 8,000 feet the exception does not apply. Oxygen-enriched

breathing air must be supplied above 14,000 feet.

Section (e): Medical evaluation

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

requires employers to implement medical evaluations

to determine an employee’s ability to use a respirator.

This requirement is necessary because using a 

respirator may place a burden on an employee’s health.

This burden varies according to a number of factors,

such as the weight and breathing resistance of the 

respirator and the workplace conditions under which

the respirator is worn. 

Examples of some medical conditions that may be 

associated with sudden incapacitation, or may interfere

with safe use of a respirator or specific type of 

respirator, include:

• Cardiovascular and respiratory disease, such as high

blood pressure, angina, asthma, chronic bronchitis,

or emphysema.

• Cardiovascular damage caused by heart attack or

stroke.

• Reduced lung function caused by factors such as

smoking or prior exposure to respiratory hazards.

• Neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.

• Musculoskeletal disorders, such as lower back pain.

• Psychological conditions, such as claustrophobia

and severe anxiety.

This list provides examples of only some medical

conditions that may interfere with safe use of a respirator, or specific type of respirator. In addition, certain

medications may interfere with safe use of a respirator.

(e)(1) Employer provided medical evaluations

The employer must provide an employee with a 

medical evaluation to determine his or her ability to use

a respirator. If an employee refuses to be medically

evaluated for the use of a respirator, he or she cannot

be assigned to a job that requires a respirator.

When do I need to provide an employee with a medical

evaluation?

The medical evaluation must be provided before the

employee is fit tested and uses the respirator in your

workplace for the first time.

Are medical evaluations required for all types of 

respirators?

Medical evaluations are required for both positive 

pressure and negative pressure respirators. When 

elastomeric or supplied-air respirators are worn 

voluntarily by employees (not required by you or

OSHA), you must ensure that the employees are 

medically able to wear the respirators and that they are

provided with the necessary information as required in

the standard. (See Attachment 2 at page 61.) The 

procedures for making this medical determination must

be part of your written respiratory protection program.

When your employees voluntarily wear dust masks 

(filtering facepiece respirators), no medical examination

is required.

Do I need to provide medical evaluations for seasonal

and temporary employees?

If seasonal or temporary employees are required to

wear a respirator, you must provide them with medical

evaluations. The frequency or length of an employee’s

term of employment does not affect the requirement

for medical evaluations.

(e)(2) Medical evaluation procedures

This portion of the standard specifies that the medical

evaluation can be performed by using the mandatory

portions of the medical questionnaire found in 

Appendix C of the Respiratory Protection standard. 

The mandatory portions of this Appendix in the final

standard are under: 

Appendix C to § 1910.134: OSHA Respirator Medical

Evaluation Questionnaire (Mandatory) 

Appendix C - Part A. Section 1. (Mandatory) - every 

employee who has been selected to use any type of

respirator must answer all 12 questions. 

Appendix C - Part A. Section 2. (Mandatory) - Questions

1 through 9 must be answered by every employee 

who has been selected to use any type of respirator.

Questions 10 to 15 must also be answered by every 

employee who has been selected to use either a fullfacepiece respirator or a self-contained breathing 

apparatus (SCBA). For employees who have been 

selected to use other types of respirators, answering

questions 10 - 15 is optional.
2 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

All medical evaluations can be performed using the

medical questionnaire of the standard, in Appendix C,

or by a medical examination that obtains the same 

information as the medical questionnaire. 

Question number 1 in Part A. Section 1, and question

number 9 in Part A. Section 2 collect personal historic

data.

If an employee gives a positive answer to question

number 9 in Part A. Section 2, the employer must allow

the employee to contact the physician or other licensed

healthcare professional (PLHCP). 

There is a non-mandatory section of the medical 

questionnaire, Part B of Appendix C of the standard.

Identification of a Medical Professional

Employers must identify a physician or another 

licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to perform

the medical evaluations. 

Who can perform a medical evaluation?

Physicians are not the only health care professionals 

allowed to perform medical evaluations for respirator

use. The Respiratory Protection standard allows any

PLHCP to administer the medical questionnaire 

(described below) or to conduct the medical examination if doing so is within the scope of the PLHCP’s 

license. You must check with PLHCPs in your local area

to see if performing the medical evaluation is within the

scope of their professional license. Or you may check

with your state licensing board.

Can a nurse perform a medical evaluation?

Any health care professional, including a nurse, who

qualifies as a PLHCP can perform a medical evaluation.

If a nurse does not qualify as a PLHCP, he or she may

still be able to perform a medical evaluation if he or 

she is doing so under the supervision of a physician,

and the physician performs the final review of the 

assessment.

Can an employee request to see his or her own 

physician for a medical evaluation?

Yes, however, you are not required by the standard to

comply with this request. If employees select their own

physicians, you will need to maintain contact with each

physician, and you will need to send each physician the

supplemental information described in paragraph (e)(5)

of the standard. You must allow the employee to be

evaluated during the employee’s normal working hours

or at a time that is convenient to the employee, and you

also are responsible for paying for this service (even if

the employee has coverage under an insurance plan).

The Medical Questionnaire: The medical questionnaire is designed to identify general medical conditions

that could place employees who use respirators at risk

of serious medical consequences. If you choose to use

the medical questionnaire to conduct the medical 

evaluation, you must use the questionnaire contained

in Appendix C to § 1910.134: OSHA Respirator 

Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Mandatory) of 

the Respiratory Protection standard. A copy of the 

standard is in Attachment 3 of this guide. 

You may choose to use medical examinations in

place of the questionnaire, but you are not required to

do so. Although the questionnaire does not have to be

administered during the medical examination, the

PLHCP must obtain the same information from the 

employee that is contained in the questionnaire.

(e)(3) Follow-up medical examinations

Employers must provide follow-up examinations for

employees who give positive answers to any of the

questions numbered 1 through 8 in Part A. Section 2,

Appendix C to § 1910.134. Employees who will be 

using SCBAs or full-face respirators will be asked 

questions 10 through 15 in this same section. Also, 

employers must provide a follow-up examination if the

medical examination indicates that one is necessary for

any other reason specified by the examining PLHCP.

As part of any medical examination, the PLHCP 

may include any tests, consultations, or diagnostic 

procedures that, in the opinion of the examining PLHCP,

are necessary to make a final determination about an

employee’s ability to use a respirator. In some cases, all

that might be needed is a phone call to the employee

from the PLHCP to clarify an issue from the questionnaire.

If the PLHCP is not a physician, some medical issues

may arise during follow-up examinations that may be

outside the scope of the PLHCP’s license. In such cases,

a qualified physician or other licensed healthcare

provider with appropriate licensure must be involved.

(e)(4) Administration of questionnaires and 

examinations

What procedures exist for administering the medical

evaluation?

When you provide a medical evaluation program:

• You must protect the confidentiality of the employee

who is being evaluated.

• The medical evaluation must be given during an

employee’s normal work hours or at a time and

place convenient to the employee.

• The employee must understand the questions on

the medical questionnaire.
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Who pays for the medical evaluation?

You must pay for the medical evaluation and any 

related expenses, including travel costs, incurred by

your employee during the evaluation.

How can I ensure that a employee’s medical evaluation 

remains confidential?

You must provide your employees with instructions on

how to deliver or send the completed questionnaire to

the PLHCP who will review it. This can be done, for 

example, by supplying them with stamped, preaddressed envelopes for mailing their completed 

questionnaires to the PLHCP.

If an employee does not speak English or cannot read,

how can I make sure that he or she understands the

questions on the medical questionnaire?

You can send the employee directly to a PLHCP who 

is able to help the employee fill out the questionnaire.

For non-English speakers, you may want to consider 

supplying an interpreter to help the PLHCP interpret the

questionnaire for your employee. The standard does

not require you to hire a professional interpreter; 

instead, you may use an English-speaking family 

member or friend of the employee, or another 

employee who speaks both English and the employee’s

language, who can help the employee fill out the 

questionnaire.

Employee’s Right to Contact the PLHCP

The standard requires you to inform employees that a

PLHCP is available to discuss the medical questionnaire

with them, and to allow employees to discuss the 

results of their questionnaire with the PLHCP. This 

discussion will enable employees and PLHCPs to clarify

questions that were asked on the questionnaire, and for

employees to explain answers that they provided.

How can I notify employees about how to contact the

PLHCP?

You could post the PLHCP’s name and telephone 

number in a location that is easily accessible to all 

employees (such as a lunchroom or break area). You

could also include the information in a separate sheet

with the medical questionnaire.

(e)(5) Supplemental information for the PLHCP 

This portion of the Respiratory Protection standard 

requires you to provide the PLHCP with specific 

information to be used to make the determination

about an employee’s ability to use a respirator. 

This information includes:

• The type and weight of the respirator to be worn by

the worker.

• The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for rescue and escape).

• The level of physical effort that the employee would

be expending while wearing a respirator.

• Additional personal protective clothing and equipment that the employee would wear.

• The temperature and humidity extremes that may

be encountered in the work environment where 

respirator use is required.

• In addition, you must provide the PLHCP with the

following:

- A copy of your written respiratory protection 

program.

- A copy of the Respiratory Protection standard.

Why do I need to provide the PLHCP with a copy of 

the written respiratory protection program and the 

Respiratory Protection standard?

This requirement helps ensure that PLHCPs have a 

thorough understanding of their duties and responsibilities in the medical evaluation process. Your written 

respiratory protection program will provide the PLHCP

with critical information about the working conditions

that could increase the burden placed on the 

employee’s health during respirator use.

Does the PLHCP need to visit the worksite to perform a

medical evaluation?

No, the supplemental information required in this 

portion of the standard should be sufficient for the

PLHCP to make a valid recommendation on the 

employee’s ability to wear a respirator. OSHA, however,

encourages PLHCPs to visit the worksite if they believe

the information obtained there would be useful to them.

If I select a new PLHCP, do I need to have my employees

reevaluated?

No, but you must make sure that the new PLHCP has

the information required in this section. You must either

provide the information directly to the new PLHCP, or

you must make sure that the information is transferred

from the former PLHCP to the new PLHCP.

How often do I need to provide the PLHCP with 

supplemental information?

You need to supply the information to the PLHCP only

when the conditions of respirator use change.
3 0

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

(e)(6) Medical determination

This portion of the standard requires you to obtain a

recommendation from the PLHCP about the employee’s

ability to use a respirator. The PLHCP’s recommendation must be in writing, and it must provide only the 

following information:

• A determination of whether or not the employee is

medically able to use a respirator.

• Any limitations on respirator use related to the 

medical condition of the employee or to the workplace conditions in which the respirator will be used.

• The need, if any, for follow-up medical evaluations.

• A statement that the PLHCP has provided the 

employee with a copy of the PLHCP’s written 

recommendation.

Note that you are required to have the PLHCP provide a

copy of the written recommendation to each employee.

Who is responsible for making the final decision about

an employee’s ability to wear a respirator?

You are responsible for making the final determination.

The PLHCP’s opinion is an important factor that you

must consider in making this determination.

Is the information from the medical evaluation 

confidential, or can the PLHCP share this information

with me?

The PLHCP must keep strictly confidential any information revealed during the medical evaluation; your 

access is limited to the information contained in the

PLHCP’s written recommendation.

Can I receive a copy of the employee’s completed 

medical questionnaire?

No, the completed questionnaire is a medical record

and must be kept confidential.

Negative Pressure Respirators and Powered AirPurifying Respirators (PAPR): If the PLHCP determines

that an employee is unable to wear a negative pressure 

respirator, perhaps because of a breathing problem

such as asthma or bronchitis, but would be able to wear

a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR), you must

provide the employee with a PAPR. If, however, the

PLHCP determines in a subsequent medical evaluation

that the employee can wear a negative pressure 

respirator, you no longer need to provide the employee

with a PAPR. (See 29 CFR 1910.1034(e)(6)(ii).)

(e)(7) Additional medical evaluations

This portion of the standard requires you to provide 

an employee with additional medical evaluations 

whenever the following events occur:

• The employee reports symptoms related to his or

her ability to use a respirator.

• The PLHCP, respiratory protection program 

administrator, or supervisor, determines that a 

medical reevaluation is necessary.

• Information from the respiratory protection program

suggests a need for reevaluation.

• Workplace conditions (such as protective clothing,

temperature, or level of work effort) have changed

so that an increased physiological burden is placed

on the employee.

• The results of the medical examination reveal that

additional medical evaluations are necessary.

The results of the medical examination reveal that 

additional medical evaluations are necessary. Do I need

to provide my employees with a medical reevaluation

annually or according to some other fixed schedule?

No, however, you must provide medical reevaluations

in accordance with the PLHCP’s recommendation.

Do I need to provide an employee who is unable to use

a respirator with an alternative job at no loss of pay

and other benefits?

The Respiratory Protection standard does not require

that workers receive such benefits; however, other

OSHA substance-specific standards may contain such 

a requirement.
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3 1

Section (f): Fit testing

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

requires you to conduct fit testing on all employees

who are required to wear a respirator that includes a

tight-fitting facepiece. Fit testing is a procedure used to

determine how well a respirator “fits”—that is, whether

the respirator forms a seal on the user’s face. If a good

facepiece-to-face seal is not achieved, the respirator will

provide a lower level of protection than it was designed

to provide. For example, without a good seal, the 

respirator can allow contaminants to leak into the user’s

breathing air. The APFs for the specific classes of 

respirators in the final Respiratory Protection standard

(Table I: Assigned Protection Factors) only apply if the

respirators are properly selected and used in compliance with the full respirator program, including initial fit

testing when necessary. Fit testing must be performed

before initial use and at least annually thereafter.

This section also describes:

• What types of respirators must be fit tested.

• How often fit testing must be conducted.

• What procedures must be used.

• How the results of fit testing should be used to

guide respirator selection.

Examples of respirators that need to be fit tested

(tight-fitting facepieces)

Air-purifying respirators remove contaminants from the air

CHECKLIST FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION

√ Check that the following has been done at your 

facility:

q All employees have been evaluated to determine 

their ability to wear a respirator prior to being fit 

tested for or wearing a respirator for the first time 

in your workplace.

q A physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) has been identified to perform the 

medical evaluations.

q The medical evaluations obtain the information 

requested in Sections 1 and 2, Part A of 

Appendix C of the standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. 

(See Attachment 3 at page 67)

q Employees are provided follow-up medical exams 

if they answer positively to any of questions 1 

through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C of the

standard, or if their medical examination reveals 

that a follow-up exam is needed.

q Medical evaluations are administered confidentially during normal work hours, and in a manner 

that is understandable to employees.

q Employees are provided the opportunity to discuss 

the medical evaluation results with the PLHCP.

q The following supplemental information is 

provided to the PLHCP before he or she makes a 

decision about respirator use:

• Type and weight of the respirator.

• Duration and frequency of respirator use.

• Expected physical work effort.

• Additional protective clothing to be worn.

• Potential temperature and humidity extremes.

• Written copies of the respiratory protection 

program and the Respiratory Protection 

standard are provided to the PLHCP.

q Written recommendations are obtained from the 

PLHCP regarding each employee’s ability to wear 

a respirator, and that the PLHCP has given the 

worker a copy of these recommendations.

q Employees who are medically unable to wear a 

negative pressure respirator are provided with a 

powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) if they are 

found by the PLHCP to be medically able to use a 

PAPR. (29 CFR 1910.1034(e)(6)(ii).)

Employees are given additional medical evaluations

when:

q The employee reports symptoms related to his or 

her ability to use a respirator.

q The PLHCP, respiratory protection program 

administrator, or supervisor determines that a 

medical reevaluation is necessary.

q Information from the respiratory protection 

program suggests a need for reevaluation.

q Workplace conditions have changed in a way that 

could potentially place an increased physiological 

burden on the employee.

Half mask Filtering Facepiece

Dust mask

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested

Half mask Elastomeric 

Respirator

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested 
3 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Examples of respirators that need to be fit tested

(tight-fitting facepieces) (continued)

Examples of air-purifying respirators that can not 

be fit tested because they are loose-fitting

Full Facepiece Elastomeric 

Respirator

APF=50 

Needs to be fit tested 

Tight-Fitting Full Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying 

Respirator (PAPR)

APF=1,000

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-Fitting Half Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying 

Respirator (PAPR)

APF=50

Needs to be fit tested

Atmosphere-supplied respirator Full Facepiece Elastomeric

with an auxiliary escape 

bottle

APF=10,000 in escape mode 

only; otherwise APF=1,000

Needs to be fit tested 

Abrasive Blasting Respirator;

Atmosphere-supplying 

respirator Full Facepiece 

Elastomeric

APF=25/1,000*

Needs to be fit tested;

Continuous flow

Loose-Fitting Powered 

Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF=25

Hooded Powered Air-Purifying 

Respirator (PAPR) 

APF=25 1,000*

* Footnote 4 of the APF Table

* Footnote 4 of the APF Table

What is a tight-fitting facepiece?

A tight-fitting facepiece is intended to form a complete

seal with the respirator wearer’s face. This seal must be

sufficiently tight to prevent any contaminants in the

work environment from leaking around the edges of the

facepiece into the user’s breathing air.

In contrast, a loose-fitting facepiece is specifically 

designed to form a partial seal with the user’s face.

Such a facepiece typically covers at least the head and

includes a system through which clean air is distributed

into the breathing zone. For example, hoods and 

helmets are loose-fitting facepieces. Such equipment

does not rely on a tight facepiece-to-face seal to protect

the employee, and is useful for employees with facial

hair or other physical characteristics that make it 

difficult to wear a tight-fitting facepiece.
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

3 3

Examples of tight-fitting facepieces

What are positive pressure and negative pressure 

respirators?

Positive pressure respirators maintain positive air 

pressure inside the facepiece throughout the user’s

breathing cycle. That is, the air pressure inside the 

facepiece remains greater than the air pressure outside

the facepiece. Thus, any leakage around the facepiece

seal should result in air escaping from inside the 

facepiece to the outside environment rather than 

worksite contaminants leaking into the facepiece and

breathing air.

In contrast, a negative pressure respirator will have

a lower air pressure inside the facepiece than outside

during inhalation. If the facepiece-to-face seal leaks on

these types of respirators, air contaminants will be

drawn into the breathing air.

Examples of the two major types of respirators that 

require fit testing, negative pressure (air-purifying) and

positive pressure (atmosphere-supplying)

What is quantitative fit testing (QNFT)?

Quantitative fit testing is a method of measuring the

amount of leakage into a respirator. It is a numeric 

assessment of how well a respirator fits a particular 

individual. To quantitatively fit test a respirator, 

sampling probes or other measuring devices must be

placed to measure aerosol concentrations both outside

and on the inside of the respirator facepiece. 

The respirator wearer then performs the user seal

checks followed by the selected QNFT. Basically, a user

seal check is a quick and easy way for employees to

verify that they have put on their respirators correctly

and that the respirators are working properly. More 

detailed information on the user seal check is provided

in Section (g): Use of Respirators, at page 41.

• For the generated aerosol QNFT, the respirator

wearer stands inside a “test chamber” (booth or

hood), where a nontoxic aerosol is introduced into

the air. Measurements are then taken of the aerosol

concentration both inside the test chamber and 

inside the respirator. An assessment of the 

quantitative fit is made based on the ratio of the

aerosol concentration inside the test chamber to the

concentration inside the facepiece.

Half mask Filtering Facepiece

Dust mask

APF=10 

Half mask Elastomeric 

Respirator

APF=10 

Full Facepiece Elastomeric 

Respirator

APF=50 

Air-purifying respirator, 

which removes 

contaminants from the air 

Half mask Filtering Facepiece;

Dust mask

Needs to be fit tested

APF=10

Self-Contained Breathing 

Apparatus (SCBA) 

Atmosphere-supplying, or

Supplied-air respirator (SAR), 

which provides clean air from

an uncontaminated source

Needs to be fit tested

APF=10,000
3 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

• For the condensation nuclei counter QNFT, ambient

air particles are used as the test aerosol with measurements made of their concentration outside and

inside the facepiece, and an assessment is made of

the quantitative fit of the facepiece.

• The controlled negative pressure QNFT method

uses an instrument to exhaust air from inside the

respirator facepiece to maintain a constant negative

pressure. The measurement of the exhaust stream

required to maintain a constant negative pressure

yields a measure of leakage into the facepiece.

• Detailed protocols for quantitative fit testing are 

provided under Appendix A of the standard. (See 

Attachment 3 at page 67.) 

What is qualitative fit testing (QLFT)?

Qualitative fit testing is a non-numeric pass/fail test 

that relies on the respirator wearer’s response to a 

substance (“test agent”) used in the test to determine

respirator fit. 

In qualitative fit testing, after performing user seal

checks, the respirator wearer stands in an enclosure

and a test agent is introduced. Such test agents are:

• Banana oil (Isoamyl acetate)

• Saccharin

• Bitrex

• Irritant smoke (no enclosure)

In qualitative fit testing, using irritant smoke as the

test agent, there is no enclosure.

If the individual can detect the test agent, this indicates that the agent leaked into the facepiece and that the

respirator has failed the test because a good facepieceto-face seal has not been achieved. If the employee 

cannot successfully complete the qualitative test with a

particular respirator, the employee must then be tested

with another make, size, or model of respirator.

Detailed protocols for qualitative fit testing are in

Appendix A of the standard. (See Attachment 3 at page

67.)

What is the fit factor?

The fit factor is a quantitative measure of how well a

particular respirator fits (or provides protection to) an

individual. It is the ratio of the concentration of a 

contaminant in the environment to the concentration

inside the mask. 

Fit factors are obtained from quantitative fit testing.

For example, if an employee was in a test chamber that

contained 300 ppm of aerosol and 3 ppm of the test

agent was found inside the mask, the fit factor would be

equal to 100.

Qualitative Fit Testing and User Seal Checking

Qualitative Fit Test 

User seal check (paragraph (g))

A user seal check is not a fit test. The user seal

check is one step an employee must take before any 

fit testing is performed and before the employee uses

the respirator in the workplace.
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3 5

(f)(1) Respirators that require fit testing

You must ensure that quantitative or qualitative fit 

testing is conducted for all employees required to wear

either positive or negative pressure tight-fitting facepiece respirators. This includes both air-purifying and

atmosphere-supplying respirators operating in either a

positive or negative pressure mode, but does not 

include any loose-fitting facepieces.

Must I perform fit testing for workers who voluntarily

wear tight-fitting facepiece respirators?

No. If an employee chooses to wear a tight-fitting 

facepiece respirator (including a negative pressure airpurifying respirator or a filtering facepiece (dust mask))

in a worksite environment where such equipment is not

required, you are not required to conduct fit testing.

(f)(2) When fit testing must be conducted: general

requirements

You must ensure that fit testing is conducted for all 

employees required to wear tight-fitting facepiece 

respirators as follows:

• Prior to initial use.

• Whenever an employee switches to a different tightfitting facepiece respirator (for example, a different

size, make or model). 

• At least annually.

(f)(3) When fit testing must be conducted: changes

in the respirator wearer’s physical condition

You must ensure that an additional fit test is conducted

if an employee experiences a change in physical 

condition that could affect the seal on a tight-fitting

facepiece respirator. This requirement is triggered by a

physical change:

• Reported by the respirator user.

• Observed by you, a physician or other licensed

healthcare professional, the supervisor, or the 

program administrator.

Physical changes in the employee that might affect

the facepiece-to-face seal could include, for example, 

an obvious change in body weight, facial scarring, 

extensive dental work, or cosmetic surgery. 

(f)(4) When fit testing must be conducted: 

unacceptable fit as determined by an employee 

after fit testing

If, after fit testing, an employee reports that his or her

respirator does not fit properly, you must allow the 

employee a reasonable opportunity to select a different

tight-fitting facepiece respirator.

After another respirator is selected, you must 

conduct a new fit test on the employee’s replacement

equipment.

An employee might determine that the facepiece

does not establish an effective facepiece-to-face seal,

for example, upon detecting a worksite contaminant

while wearing the respirator with new cartridges, or an

employee might hear or feel air leaking around the

facepiece-to-face seal. The employee’s determination

also can be based on factors unrelated to the particular

worksite. For example, the employee might find that he

or she can not wear the respirator for extended periods

without experiencing irritation or pain. 

(f)(5) Fit testing procedures: general fit testing 

procedures

You must ensure that all fit testing conducted for 

employees required to wear tight-fitting facepiece 

respirators follows the OSHA-approved protocols.

Detailed protocols for qualitative and quantitative fit

testing are provided as part of the standard at Appendix

A. Attachment 3 provides a copy of the standard. These

protocols specify that you must have on hand during 

fit testing all types and sizes of respirators that are

available for use at the worksite. This allows you to 

ensure that each employee is tested with the same type

of respirator (make, model, style, and size) that he or

she will wear at the worksite.

(f)(6) Limitation on use of qualitative fit testing

The table at the end of this chapter summarizes acceptable means of fit testing (QLFT and QNFT) for different

types of respirators. For more information, consult

OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov.

Qualitative fit tests (QLFT) are those using Bitrex,

Saccharin, Irritant smoke, or Isoamyl acetate as 

challenge agents.

QLFT may be used to fit test all positive pressure 

respirators (air-supplying and PAPRs). Your use of 

qualitative fit testing on negative pressure air-purifying

respirators is limited to those that must achieve a fit 

factor of 100 or less. Dividing the fit factor of 100 by a

standard safety factor of 10 indicates that the negative

pressure air-purifying respirators that have successfully

completed a qualitative fit test can be relied on to reduce

an employee’s exposure by a protection factor of 10. The

safety factor of 10 is used because protection factors that

employees achieve at work sites tend to be much lower

than the fit factors achieved during fit testing.

In practice, this means that any negative pressure

air-purifying respirator (APR) may be qualitatively fit

tested if the APR is to be used in workplace atmospheres where the level of the hazardous contaminant is
3 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

10 times or less than the permissible exposure limit

(PEL) and lower than the level that is immediately 

dangerous to life or health (IDLH). For example, if the

PEL for a specific workplace contaminant is 5 ppm, you

could use a qualitative fit test to fit test a negative 

pressure APR to be used in the workplace at exposure

levels up to 50 ppm (ten times the PEL or less). Both

half facepiece APRs and full facepiece APRs may be

qualitatively fit tested if they are to be worn in work

areas where the concentration of contaminant is no

more than ten times the PEL. If a full facepiece APR is to

be used in atmospheres with levels of contamination

greater than ten (10) times the PEL, a quantitative fit test

must be used. (See section (f)(7).)

The quantitative fit tests are:

• The Portacount

• CNP

• CNP REDON

(f)(7) Use of quantitative fit testing

If quantitative testing is used to fit test a tight-fitting

facepiece respirator, respirator fit is not acceptable 

unless:

• For a half or quarter facepiece: The fit factor

achieved in the test is greater than or equal to 100.

• For a full facepiece: The fit factor achieved in the test

is greater than or equal to 500.

The following quantitative fit testing procedures

(QNFT) have been demonstrated to be acceptable: Portacount, Controlled Negative Pressure (CNP), and Controlled Negative Pressure REDON (CNP REDON).

When using a QNFT, a non-hazardous test aerosol is

generated and appropriate instrumentation measures

the respirator fit.

(f)(8) Fit testing for atmosphere-supplying and 

powered air-purifying respirators

You must ensure that all fit testing conducted for 

employees issued tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying

respirators and powered air-purifying respirators is 

conducted in the negative pressure mode, even if the

respirator will be used with positive pressure. This is

because it is difficult outside of a laboratory test 

situation to accurately perform fit testing on positive

pressure respirators.

In what circumstances might an atmosphere-supplying

or powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) perform like a

negative pressure respirator?

If the blower component of a PAPR loses power 

because it is turned off or the batteries run out, the 

respirator will become a negative pressure respirator. 

Also, powered air-purifying respirators and selfcontained breathing apparatus units can perform like

negative pressure respirators when the user increases

his or her inhalation rate during heavy work. The 

increased inhalation rate can result in negative pressure

spikes inside the facepiece that are greater than the

positive pressure of the air being supplied. This is called

“overbreathing the respirator.” Therefore, positive air

flow alone cannot be counted on to prevent the leakage

that can occur with a poorly fitting facepiece. 

You can conduct qualitative or quantitative fit testing

of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators and

powered air-purifying respirators according to the 

following requirements.

Qualitative fit testing. To conduct qualitative fit testing on an atmosphere-supplying respirator, you must

do one of the following:

• Temporarily convert the user’s actual facepiece 

into a negative pressure respirator by installing the 

appropriate filters. If you are not sure how to do 

this, check with the respirator manufacturer or your 

supplier; 

• Use an identical negative pressure facepiece (size,

make, model); or

• You can conduct qualitative fit testing on a powered

air-purifying respirator by simply turning off the

blower.

Quantitative fit testing. To conduct quantitative fit

testing on an atmosphere-supplying respirator, you

must temporarily or permanently install a sampling

probe or adaptor inside the facepiece.

In preparation for testing, you should contact the

respirator manufacturer or supplier for information on
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

3 7

whether a sampling adapter can be temporarily 

installed in the facepiece. 

Any modifications made to a respirator for testing

purposes must be removed before use.

If temporary modifications cannot be made, you will

need to permanently convert the facepiece to allow for

testing. If you permanently convert the facepiece – for

example, by drilling a hole in the respirator facepiece to

insert the probe – you cannot repair the hole and put

the respirator back in service. Once a hole is drilled in

the facepiece, the respirator can only be used for fit

testing purposes. It is no longer approved for workplace

use.

What is the CNP REDON Fit Test?

The CNP REDON protocol requires the performance 

of three different test exercises followed by two 

redonnings of the respirator, while the CNP protocol 

approved previously by OSHA specifies eight test 

exercises, including one redonning of the respirator. In

addition to amending the standard to include the CNP

REDON protocol, this rulemaking made several editorial

and non-substantive technical revisions to the Standard

associated with the CNP REDON protocol and the 

previously approved CNP protocol.

This additional quantitative fit testing protocol, the

controlled negative pressure (CNP) REDON fit testing

protocol, is now included in Appendix A of the final

Respiratory Protection standard. (See Attachment 3 at

page 67.) The protocol affects, in addition to general 

industry, OSHA respiratory protection standards for

shipyard employment and construction. 

Are any new fit test methods being developed?

Yes, OSHA approved a new fit test, see Attachment 3 at

page 67 of the guide. 

The Respiratory Protection standard included a 

provision for the development of new, faster, less costly

fit tests. Part II of Appendix A of the Respiratory 

Protection standard, at Attachment 3 of this guide,

specifies, in part, the procedure individuals must follow

to submit new fit testing protocols for the Agency’s 

consideration. The criteria OSHA uses for determining

whether to propose adding a fit testing protocol to the

Respiratory Protection standard include: (1) A test 

report prepared by an independent government 

research laboratory (e.g., Lawrence Livermore National

Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory

(LANL), the National Institute for Standards and 

Technology) stating that the laboratory tested the 

protocol and found it to be accurate and reliable; (2) an

article published in a peer-reviewed industrial hygiene

journal describing the protocol, and explaining how test

data support the accuracy and reliability of the protocol.

When a protocol meets one of these criteria, the

Agency conducts a notice-and-comment rulemaking

under Section 6(b)(7) of the OSH Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C.

655). The purpose of this provision was to allow for the

development of new technology for fit tests, allowing

for faster and better fit test methods, as well as new fit

test choices for employers. As OSHA noted in the 

proposal, the CNP REDON protocol met the second of

these criteria (68 FR 33887; June 6, 2003).

Acceptable Fit Testing Methods

Respirator QNFT QLFT

Half Face, Negative Pressure, 

APR (<100 fit factor) Yes Yes

Full face, Negative Pressure, 

APR (<100 fit factor) used in 

atmospheres up to 10 times the PEL Yes Yes

Full face, Negative Pressure, 

APR (>100 fit factor) Yes No

PAPR Yes Yes

Supplied-Air Respirators (SAR), or 

SCBA used in Negative Pressure 

(Demand Mode) (>100 fit factor) Yes No

SCBA - Structural Fire Fighting, 

Positive Pressure Yes Yes

SCBA/SAR - IDLH, Positive Pressure Yes Yes

Mouthbit Respirators Fit Testing 

Not Required

Loose-fitting Respirators Fit Testing

(e.g., hoods, helmets) Not Required

Examples of respirators that require fit testing 

(tight-fitting) are depicted on following pages. In cases

in which elastomeric facepieces are used, remember

that elastomeric facepieces are made from natural or

synthetic rubber or silicone; EPDM is an acronym for a

specific type of rubber, that is, Ethylene propylene diene

M-class rubber. 
3 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Air-purifying respirators

Air-purifying respirators, which remove contaminants from the air.

Full Facepiece Elastomeric Respirator

APF=50 

Needs to be fit tested

Half mask Filtering Facepiece

Dust mask

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested 

Half mask Elastomeric Respirator

APF=10 

Needs to be fit tested

Loose-Fitting Powered 

Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF=25

Hooded Powered Air-Purifying 

Respirator 

(PAPR) 

APF=25 (1,000)*

* Footnote 4 of the APF Table.
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Tight-Fitting Full Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF= 1,000

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-Fitting Half Facepiece

Powered Air-Purifying Respirator 

(PAPR)

APF= 50

Needs to be fit tested

Atmosphere-supplying respirators

Atmosphere-supplying respirators, which provide clean air from an uncontaminated source.

Tight-fitting Atmosphere-Supplying 

Respirator with an auxiliary escape 

bottle

APF=10,000 in escape mode only;

otherwise APF=1,000

Full facepiece 

Needs to be fit tested

Tight-fitting Self-Contained

Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 

pressure-demand mode

APF=10,000

demand mode

APF=50 

Needs to be fit tested 

Tight-fitting Abrasive Blasting 

Respirator Continuous flow

APF=25/1,000*

SAR Full Facepiece

Needs to be fit tested*

* Footnote 4 of the APF Table.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Respirators are designed to reduce a worker’s exposure

to airborne contaminants. Respirators come in various

sizes and must be individually selected to fit the

wearer’s face and to provide a tight seal. A proper seal

between the user’s face and the respirator forces the 

inhaled air through the respirator’s filter material and

not through gaps between the face and the respirator.

Both the filtering facepiece (N95) respirators and the

surgical (N95) respirators must be fit tested to ensure

that a proper seal exists between the employee’s face

and the respirator. Both of the respirators provide 

protection from exposures to airborne influenza flu

viruses. Whenever respirators are required by 

employees (e.g., N95 and Surgical N95 respirators),

they must be NIOSH-certified and selected and used in

compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection 

standard.

Surgical masks and surgical (N95) respirators are used

as a physical barrier to protect the user from hazards,

such as large droplets of: splashes or sprays of human

and animal blood; any unfixed tissue, organs, tissue

and organ cultures (including those from experimental

animals); other secretions that are visibly contaminated

with blood; and, all body fluids in situations where it is

difficult or impossible to differentiate between body 

fluids. Surgical masks, by themselves, are not designed

to seal tightly against the user’s face and are not subject

to fit testing. Surgical masks are not designed or 

certified to prevent the inhalation of small airborne 

particles that are not visible to the naked eye but may

still be capable of causing infection.

Filtering facepiece (N95) respirators, surgical (N95) respirators, and surgical masks

Filtering facepiece (N95) Surgical mask

surgical mask

Surgical (N95) respirator 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

4 1

Section (g): Use of respirators

As part of your written program, you must establish

and implement procedures for the proper use of 

respirators in both routine jobs and emergencies. 

Specific procedures are required to:

• Prevent leaks in the respirator facepiece seal.

• Prevent employees from removing respirators in

hazardous environments.

• Ensure that respirators operate effectively throughout the work shift.

• Protect employees entering IDLH atmospheres and

interior structural firefighting situations.

(g)(1) Preventing leaks in the facepiece seal

Facepiece seals and valves are important in tight-fitting

respirators. Tight-fitting respirators should be able to

provide a complete seal to the face. If there is a leak in

the seal of a tight-fitting respirator or valve, then the

respirator cannot effectively reduce the wearer’s 

exposures to respiratory hazards. You must be sure that

nothing interferes with the seal of the respirator to the

employee’s face or with the valves. You must also 

ensure that employees check the seal of a tight-fitting

respirator by conducting a user seal check each time

the employee dons the respirator.

Conditions that can interfere with the seal or valve

are specified in the standard and include:

• Facial hair;

• Facial scars;

• Jewelry or headgear that projects under the facepiece seal;

• Missing dentures; and

• Corrective glasses or goggles or other protective

equipment such as:

- Face shields

- Protective clothing

- Helmets

- Eyeglass insert or spectacle kits

Employees may use this equipment with tight-fitting

respirators if you ensure that the equipment is worn in

a way that:

• Does not interfere with the face-to-facepiece seal.

• Does not distort the employee’s vision.

• Does not cause physical harm to the employee (e.g.,

if the eyeglass insert did not fit properly so that the

tight fit of the respirator caused the insert to press

against his or her forehead, eyes, or temples).

CHECKLIST FOR FIT TESTING

√ Check all the fit tests listed below that are used at

your facility:

q Employees who are using tight-fitting respirator 

facepieces have passed an appropriate fit test 

prior to being required to use a respirator.

q Fit testing is conducted with the same make, 

model, style and size that the employee will be 

expected to use at the worksite.

q Fit tests are conducted annually and when 

different respirator facepieces are to be used.

q Provisions are made to conduct additional fit tests 

in the event of physical changes in the employee 

that may affect respirator fit.

q Employees are given the opportunity to select a 

different respirator facepiece, and be retested if 

their respirator fit is unacceptable to them.

q Fit tests are administered using OSHA-accepted 

QNFT or QLFT protocols.

q QLFT is only used to fit test either PAPRs, SCBAs, 

or negative pressure APRs that must achieve a fit 

factor of 100 or less.

q QNFT is used in all situations where a negative 

pressure respirator is intended to protect 

workers from contaminant concentrations 

greater than 10 times the PEL.

q When QNFT is used to fit negative pressure 

respirators, a minimum fit factor of 100 is 

achieved for tight-fitting half facepieces and 500 

for full facepieces.

For tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators

and powered air-purifying respirators:

q Fit tests are conducted in the negative pressure 

mode.

q QLFT is achieved by temporarily converting the 

facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with 

appropriate filters, or by using an identical 

negative pressure APR.

q QNFT is achieved by modifying the facepiece to 

allow for sampling inside the mask midway 

between the nose and mouth. If the facepiece is 

permanently converted during fit testing, the 

respirator is no longer approved for workplace 

use.
4 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

You must make sure that the employee’s eyewear

does not interfere with the respirator seal, or that the

worker has to remove the eyewear altogether.

What if an employee has a condition that does not 

interfere with the face-to-facepiece seal?

As long as the condition does not interfere with the

function of the respirator valves, then the employee 

can wear a tight-fitting respirator, provided that the 

employee has no other conditions that interfere with

the face-to-facepiece seal or valve. For example, a 

mustache may not interfere with the facepiece seal but

may interfere with the valve function.

Do these restrictions apply to all types of respirators?

The restrictions for facial hair and other conditions

apply ONLY to tight-fitting respirators. Several respiratory protection alternatives, such as loose-fitting hoods

or helmets, are available to accommodate employees

with facial hair or with other conditions that might interfere with the seal of the facepiece to the face of the user.

Can employeess wear contact lenses?

Yes, contact lenses can be safely worn with respirators. 

What is a user seal check?

You must be sure that employees perform user seal

checks each time they put on a tight-fitting respirator.

User seal checks are a quick and easy way for employees to verify that they have put on their respirators 

correctly and that the respirators are working properly.

To conduct a user seal check, the employee must

follow either the procedures for a user seal check that

are contained in Appendix B-1 to § 1910.134: User Seal

Check Procedures (Mandatory), or equally effective 

procedures that the respirator manufacturer 

recommends for conducting a user seal check. A copy

of the standard is in Attachment 3 of this guide. 

How are user seal checks conducted?

To conduct a user seal check, the employee performs a

negative or positive pressure fit check.

For the negative pressure check, the employee:

• covers the respirator inlets (cartridges, canisters, or

seals)

• gently inhales, and

• holds breath for 10 seconds.

The facepiece should collapse on the worker’s face

and remain collapsed.

For the positive pressure check, the worker:

• covers the respirator exhalation valve(s), and

• exhales.

The facepiece should hold the positive pressure for

a few seconds. During this time, the employee should

not hear or feel the air leaking out of the face-to-facepiece seal. Appendix B-1 of the Respiratory Protection

standard provides detailed instructions on how to conduct the user seal check. Attachment 3 of this guide

provides a copy of the standard.

The manufacturer’s recommended procedures 

for checking the facepiece seal may be used if the 

employer demonstrates that the manufacturer’s 

procedures are as effective as those described in 

Appendix B-1 of the Respiratory Protection standard

(i.e., these procedures are effective in identifying 

respirators that fit poorly when put on or adjusted).

Can a user seal check be used as a substitute for a 

qualitative fit test?

No, a user seal check is not a substitute for a qualitative

fit test. Fit testing is a more rigorous procedure that is

used to determine whether the respirator fits the face 

of the employee. Section (f) of this Compliance Guide

contains a complete discussion on respirator fit testing.

(See fit testing in Appendix A of the standard; See user

seal check in Appendix B-1 of the standard.) A copy of

the standard is provided in Attachment 3 of this guide. 

How can employers ensure that workers perform user

seal checks?

A major purpose of the standard is to make sure that

the fit and performance of the respirator is not compromised. You must take actions that will result in safe

work practices. Examples of these actions include:

• Providing training to workers

• Routinely observing work practices

• Routinely monitoring site conditions

• Consulting workers

Example of a worker performing a user seal check on 

a half mask elastomeric air-purifying respirator
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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(g)(2) Continuing respirator effectiveness

You must be aware of conditions in work areas where

employees are using respirators. You must also allow

employees to leave the respirator use area to perform

any activity that involves removing or adjusting a 

respirator facepiece, or if there is any indication that a

respirator may not be fully effective. If there is any 

indication that they are not functioning properly, you

must repair or discard and replace respirators before 

allowing employees to return to an area in which 

respirator use is required.

Workplace conditions include the following:

• The level of the contaminant in relation to the APF

• The size and configuration of the workspace

• Ease of employee communication

• Ease or difficulty of the work or rate of activity 

• The type of workplace tasks and proximity to the

source of contamination, e.g., cutting wood on a

band saw would differ from hand polishing a wood

veneer on furniture. 

• Workplace conditions such as temperature and 

humidity or the location and movement of other

personnel and equipment.

How can I conduct appropriate surveillance?

“Appropriate surveillance” means that you must 

routinely look for any changes that may affect the 

effectiveness of a respirator. You must look for changes

in the work area, such as changes in work tasks or

processes, that can result in changes in the hazard or

the time period of exposure, or that put the employee in

closer proximity to the hazard. Another change might

be the addition of new machinery that would cause an

employee to exert more energy and breathe harder.

By “appropriate surveillance” OSHA means that you

must routinely observe employees as they work while

wearing respirators. By observing respirator use under

actual workplace conditions, you can determine:

• Whether other protective equipment is interfering

with respirator use.

• Whether a change in working conditions may result

in exposure to new contaminants or an increase in

contaminant exposure.

• Whether employees are experiencing discomfort,

such as skin irritation or breakthrough of contaminants through cartridges and canisters.

If any of these conditions exist, you must make 

adjustments – such as providing a more protective 

respirator or a different size or style of respirator, or 

altering work practices to reduce the stress on 

employees – to ensure that employees continue to 

receive adequate respiratory protection.

When must employees leave the exposure areas to

maintain the integrity of their respirators?

To maintain their respirators, employees may, from

time to time, need to leave the area where respirator

use is required and go to a safe area free of respiratory

hazards and contaminants.

Employees must leave the respirator use area:

• If the employee needs to wash his or her face or the

respirator facepiece to prevent eye or skin irritation

associated with respirator use.

• If the employee detects vapor or gas breakthrough

(that is, the cartridge or canister is saturated with

contaminant and needs to be changed).

• If the employee notices that the facepiece is leaking.

• If the employee observes a change in breathing 

resistance (that is, the filter is full of dust or other

particles and needs to be changed).

• If the respirator or parts of the respirator, such as

valves or straps, are not working properly and need

to be replaced.

Employees need a “safe area” in the workplace

where they can safely remove their respirators to wash

or conduct the maintenance necessary to ensure the

respirator’s adequate operation. Through training and

supervision, employees must know the conditions of

respirator use that require them to leave the exposure

areas and go to a safe area.

Where does the safe area need to be located?

The safe area must be located in a place that is free of

respiratory hazards or contamination. As long as these

conditions are met, the safe area can be in a location

that minimizes interruptions to work flow.

How often do respirators need to be replaced or 

repaired?

There is no required replacement schedule for 

respirators in general. However, damaged respirators

cannot properly protect workers. Respirators need to be

replaced or repaired when one or more of their components is missing, damaged, or visibly deteriorated.

(g)(3) Procedures for Immediately Dangerous to Life

or Health atmospheres and for interior structural

firefighting

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

contains requirements for respirator use in IDLH 

environments. The standard defines IDLH as “an 

atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life,
4 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or

would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a

dangerous atmosphere.” (See Section (d) of this guide

or paragraphs (g)(3)-(4) of the standard.) 

The provisions of paragraph (g)(3) of the Respiratory

Protection standard are requirements for respirator use

in all IDLH atmospheres. Paragraph (g)(4) contains 

additional requirements applicable only to the extrahazardous environments encountered during “interior

structural fire fighting.” Information about “interior

structural fire fighting” is explained further in section

(g)(4) of the guide. OSHA considers interior structural

firefighting environments to be IDLH environments.

These two paragraphs, ((g)(3) and (g)(4)), deal with 

requirements for standby personnel and the respirator

users inside the IDLH atmosphere. The standard 

requires standby personnel when employees use 

respirators in IDLH environments. These two provisions

ensure that adequate rescue capability exists in case of

respirator failure or some other emergency inside the

IDLH environment.

Who are standby personnel?

Standby personnel are firefighters who remain outside

the IDLH atmosphere. They must be available, trained,

and equipped to assist respirator users inside the IDLH

atmosphere, and to provide effective emergency rescue, when needed.

You must be sure that standby personnel maintain

visual, voice, or signal line communication with the 

employees in the IDLH environment. Standby personnel may use radios to communicate with workers inside

the IDLH environment. You must be sure that standby

personnel notify you or your designated representative

before entering the IDLH atmosphere. Once notified,

you must provide necessary assistance appropriate to

the situation.

When do I need to have more than one standby person

located outside the IDLH environment?

A single standby person is adequate if an IDLH environment is well characterized and controlled, and if one

person can easily maintain communication with all 

employees in the IDLH environment. Two stand-by 

personnel are required for interior structural firefighting. An IDLH atmosphere is “well characterized” if it

has been monitored and the results of the monitoring

have been analyzed, or if it has been through a processhazard analysis. (Chemical plants conduct comprehensive process-hazard analyses as required by OSHA’s

Process Safety Management standard [29 CFR

1910.119] to determine which process units pose IDLH

hazards.)

Often, only one respirator user at a time is exposed

to an IDLH atmosphere, and a single standby person

can easily monitor that employee’s status. Even in 

situations where more than one respirator user is inside

an IDLH environment, a single standby person can

often provide adequate communication and support.

For example, one standby person can easily communicate with more than one employee working inside a

small pump room or shed.

More than one standby person may be required for

other situations. For example, to clean and paint the 

inside of a multi-level, multi-portal water tower, a

process that often generates a deadly atmosphere as a

result of cleaning solutions and paint-solvent vapors,

employees often enter the tower through different portals to work on different levels. In such a situation, there

will be a need for good communication at each entry

portal, and more than one standby person would be

needed to maintain adequate communication and accessibility (See also 29 CFR 1910.146, Confined Spaces).

When must standby personnel maintain communication with employees in the IDLH atmosphere?

Standby personnel must maintain communication with

employees in the IDLH atmosphere at all times. Voice,

visual, or hand signal line communication must be 

continuously maintained between the employee(s) in

the IDLH environment and the standby person. Because

IDLH conditions present the potential for serious injury

or death, there is little margin for error in an IDLH 

environment. Equipment malfunction in an IDLH 

environment can swiftly disable employees, prevent

them from leaving the environment, and lead to severe

injury or death. For this reason, close communication

between standby personnel and respirator users in the

IDLH environment is critical. 

When is radio communication acceptable?

Standby personnel must be in visual, voice, or signalline communication with the employees inside the IDLH

environment. However, standby personnel may communicate by two-way radio (intrinsically safe) with employees inside the IDLH environment, if use of visual,

voice, or signal-line communication is not feasible. A

standby employee should have a telephone or radio to

summon additional help, and should not enter an IDLH

environment for rescue until help arrives. The standby

person also must be able to assist in providing or 

obtaining effective emergency assistance to employees

inside the IDLH environment. In interior structural 

firefighting situations, firefighters inside the burning

structure may communicate with one another by twoway radio, but they must also remain in visual or voice

contact with each other. 
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Is voice communication the only acceptable method 

for employees in the IDLH environment and standby

personnel to communicate with one another?

No, communication can be in the form of signal lines. It

is advisable to have several means of communication

systems available, in the event that one form of communication fails.

What is appropriate training and equipment for the

standby personnel?

You must train the standby personnel to:

• Provide effective emergency rescue; and

• Notify you or your designated representative before

the standby personnel enter the IDLH atmosphere to

attempt an emergency rescue.

You must equip your standby personnel with the 

following:

• Pressure demand or other positive pressure SCBAs,

or a pressure demand or other positive pressure

supplied-air respirator with auxiliary SCBA; and

• Either appropriate retrieval equipment for removing

the employees inside the IDLH atmosphere where

retrieval equipment would contribute to the rescue

of the employees inside the IDLH atmosphere and

would not increase the overall risk resulting from

entry; or

• Equivalent means for rescue where retrieval equipment could increase the overall risk resulting from

entry.

• For employees involved in interior structural firefighting, standby personnel must be equipped with

SCBAs.

Rescue personnel must be properly trained and 

protected before they enter the IDLH environment. The

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response

standard (29 CFR 1910.120) and the Permit-Required

Confined Spaces standard (29 CFR 1910.146) provide

guidance on the training and protective equipment that

is required. Situations exist in which retrieval lines 

(harnesses, wristlets, anklets) may pose an entanglement problem, especially in areas in which air lines or

electrical cords are present in the work areas in which

the IDLH atmosphere occurs. Most of the time, 

however, rescue with retrieval equipment is effective,

and much safer for the rescuers because the standby

personnel do not have to enter the IDLH atmosphere.

If there is an emergency, can the standby provide 

immediate rescue assistance?

Your standby personnel must inform either you or 

your designated representative before attempting

emergency rescue within an IDLH environment. Your

designated representative may be a properly trained

employee or response team, or local firefighting and

emergency rescue personnel. In any case, proper

arrangements and procedures must be in place before

you can allow your employees to enter an IDLH environment. Once notified, you must provide necessary

assistance appropriate to the situation.

This provision of the standard ensures that you

know when an emergency has occurred so that you or

your designated representative can send in immediate

additional assistance to help in the rescue.

When should standby personnel enter the IDLH 

environment?

Under most circumstances, standby personnel should

not enter the IDLH environment until you or your designated representative has responded to the notification

acknowledging that an emergency exists, that rescue

personnel are entering the IDLH environment, and that

emergency response units are on their way to provide

additional assistance. You must provide standby 

personnel (rescuers) with proper respiratory equipment, and you must train and prepare your standby

personnel to facilitate rescue attempts.

This notification provision does not require that

standby employees should wait indefinitely for you or

your authorized designee to respond to notification 

before entering the IDLH atmosphere when your 

employees inside are in danger and standby personnel

are appropriately trained and equipped to provide 

assistance. In the majority of cases, however, rescuers

should not enter the IDLH environment until receiving

some response from you (i.e., you or your designated

representative should know that the rescuers are 

entering and emergency response units should be on

their way to the incident).

How must I provide appropriate assistance in 

emergencies?

Once you or your designated representative has been

notified, you or your representative must provide the

necessary assistance appropriate for the situation. You

must make sure that:

• Rescue operations are carried out appropriately

• Rescuers are provided with proper respiratory

equipment

• Designated employees are adequately prepared to 

conduct rescue attempts

You may not always need to send standby personnel into the hazardous atmosphere. In some cases, the

employee within the IDLH environment will be able to

get out on his or her own, or retrieval equipment may
4 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

enable rescuers to retrieve the employee without entering the hazardous atmosphere. In these instances, you

must be prepared to provide employees inside IDLH 

atmospheres and standby personnel employees with

emergency medical treatment. 

You should consult OSHA’s rules on confined spaces

(29 CFR 1910.146) and on hazardous waste operations

and emergency response (29 CFR 1910.120) for other

provisions that may apply to IDLH environments. 

(g)(4) Procedures for interior structural firefighting

This portion of the standard applies to employees 

engaged in interior structural firefighting only. Federal

OSHA does not cover public employees such as firefighters. However, public employees are covered by the

State OSHA programs in the 27 states that operate their

own state programs. 

What is interior structural firefighting?

Interior structural firefighting is firefighting to control or

extinguish a fire in an advanced stage of burning inside

a building. Because the fire is producing large amounts

of smoke, heat, and toxic products of combustion, 

exposure of firefighters is extremely hazardous and the

environment is considered IDLH.

For interior structural firefighting, you must have

two employees enter the IDLH atmosphere and remain

in visual or voice contact with one another at all times.

You must also have two standby personnel located 

outside the IDLH atmosphere (two-in, two-out); all 

employees engaged in interior structural firefighting

must use SCBAs.

Are all firefighters engaged in interior structural 

firefighting covered by the standard?

Yes, when OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard is

applied to private-sector employees engaged in firefighting covered under Section 19 of the Occupational

Safety and Health Act. These employees include those

working in industrial fire brigades and private incorporated fire companies. Federal agencies must comply

with the Respiratory Protection standard or an equally

stringent standard, pursuant to Executive Order 12196

and 29 CFR 1960.17, covered under Section 6 of the 

Occupational Safety and Health Act (with a general 

exemption for military personnel and operations). 

There are 27 states and territories that enforce 

occupational safety and health requirements. In these

states and territories, enforcement of occupational

safety and health requirements is by the State agency

responsible for the OSHA-approved state plan. These

states are required to extend their coverage to state and

local government employees, including public sector

firefighters, who are not otherwise covered by Federal

OSHA. The states and territories operating OSHAapproved state plans are: Alaska, Arizona, California,

Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan,

Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, 

Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah,

Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. 

Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and the Virgin 

Islands operate OSHA-approved state plans that apply

to state and local government employees only.

Coverage of volunteer firefighters varies by State

and depends on State law. State and local government

employees in states that do not operate OSHAapproved state plans are not covered by these 

requirements, unless the requirements are voluntarily

adopted for local applicability.

What additional requirements apply to interior 

structural firefighting?

In addition to the requirements for all IDLH atmospheres, if your employees are involved in interior 

structural firefighting, you must be certain that:

• At least two employees enter the IDLH atmosphere

and remain in visual or voice contact with one 

another at all times and at least two employees are

located outside the IDLH atmosphere, namely the

“two in, two out” policy.

• All employees engaged in interior structural firefighting use SCBAs.

• Although two individuals must always be located

outside the IDLH atmosphere, one may be assigned

to an additional role, such as incident command,

pump operations, or operator of the fire apparatus –

so long as this individual is able to perform 

assistance or rescue activities without jeopardizing

the safety or health of any firefighter working at the

incident. Any assignment of additional duties to 

the second firefighter must be weighed against the

potential for the additional duties to interfere with

assistance or rescue activities. 

Must firefighters wait until four employees are 

assembled before attempting to rescue victims inside

the burning structure?

No, there is an explicit exemption in the Respiratory

Protection standard that states that if life is in jeopardy

the “two-in, two-out” requirement is waived. The 

incident commander and the firefighters at the scene

must decide whether the risks posed by entering the 

interior structural fire before at least four firefighters

have assembled is outweighed by the need to rescue a

victim whose life may be at risk.
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4 7

accomplish this you must have a system of respirator

care and maintenance as a component of your respiratory protection program. Regular care and maintenance

is important to ensure that the equipment functions as

designed and protects the user from the threat of illness

or death.

Your system of respirator care and maintenance

must provide for:

• cleaning and disinfection procedures

• proper storage

• regular inspections

• repair methods

(h)(1) Cleaning and disinfecting

Respirator equipment must be regularly cleaned and

disinfected according to specified procedures (See 

Appendix B-2 of the standard; a copy of the standard is

provided at Attachment 3 of this guide) or according 

to manufacturer specifications that are of equivalent 

effectiveness.

Cleaning and disinfection procedures are divided into

the following:

• Disassembly of components

• Cleaning and disinfecting

• Rinsing, drying and reassembly

• Testing

How often must respirators be cleaned and disinfected?

The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting or sanitizing

respirators will depend in part on whether your employees share the equipment or are issued respirators

for their exclusive use. Worksite conditions also dictate

cleaning frequency; e.g., working in a dirty environment

will require that the respirator facepiece, in particular,

be cleaned more frequently. The frequency must be

noted in your written respiratory protection plan.

At a minimum:

If a respirator is...

• issued for the exclusive use of an individual 

employee, the equipment must be cleaned and 

disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained

in clean and sanitary condition.

• used by more than one employee, the equipment

must be cleaned and disinfected before being used

by different individuals.

• maintained for use in emergencies, testing, and

training exercises, the equipment must be cleaned

and disinfected after each use.

CHECKLIST FOR PROPER USE OF 

RESPIRATORS

√ Check your facility to be certain that:

q Employees using tight-fitting respirators have no 

conditions, such as facial hair, that would interfere 

with a face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.

q Employees wear corrective glasses, goggles, or 

other protective equipment in a manner that does 

not interfere with the face-to-facepiece seal or 

valve function.

q Employees perform user seal checks prior to each 

use of a tight-fitting respirator.

q There are procedures for conducting ongoing 

surveillance of the work area for conditions that 

affect respirator effectiveness, and that, when 

such conditions exist, you take steps to address 

those situations.

q Employees are permitted to leave their work area 

to conduct respirator maintenance, such as 

washing the facepiece, or to replace respirator 

parts.

q Employees do not return to their work area until 

their respirator has been repaired or replaced in 

the event of a breakthrough, a leak in the facepiece, or a change in breathing resistance.

q There are procedures for respirator use in IDLH 

atmospheres and during interior structural 

firefighting to ensure that: the appropriate number

of standby personnel are deployed; standby 

personnel and workers in the IDLH environment maintain communication; standby personnel

are properly trained, equipped, and prepared; you 

will be notified when standby personnel enter an 

IDLH atmosphere; and you will respond appropriately to this notification.

q Standby personnel are equipped with a pressure 

demand or other positive pressure SCBA, or a 

positive pressure supplied-air respirator with an 

escape SCBA, and appropriate retrieval equipment

or other means for rescue.

q Procedures for interior structural firefighting 

require that: at least two employees enter the 

IDLH atmosphere and remain in contact with one 

another at all times; at least two standby personnel are used; and all firefighting employees use 

SCBAs.

Section (h): Maintenance and care 

of respirators

You must provide respirator users with equipment 

that is clean, sanitary, and in good working order. To 
4 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Who is responsible for cleaning and disinfecting 

respirators?

You may choose the program that best meets the needs

of your workplace. For example, you may use a centralized operation where employees receive respirators

that have been cleaned, disinfected and repaired by

employees assigned to this task. You also may require

that each respirator wearer be responsible for cleaning

and maintaining his or her own equipment. In either

case, you must provide the necessary equipment and

supplies and, in addition, you must provide appropriate

training and allow on-the-job time for the training and

for the cleaning and maintenance of respirators.

(h)(2) Storage

What are the proper storage procedures for respirators?

You must store respirators in a manner that:

• Protects them from contamination, dust, sunlight,

extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, damaging chemicals, or other destructive conditions.

• Prevents the facepiece or valves from becoming 

deformed.

• Follows all storage precautions issued by the 

respirator manufacturer.

In addition, if a respirator is for emergency use, it

must be:

• Kept accessible to the work area, but not in an area

that may itself become involved in an emergency

and become contaminated or inaccessible.

• Stored in a compartment or cover (e.g., on a fire

truck) that is clearly identified as containing 

emergency equipment.

• Stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

(h)(3) Inspection

How often must respirators be inspected, and what

procedures do I follow?

The frequency of and procedures for inspections 

depend on whether the respirator is designed for 

non-emergency, emergency, or escape-only use.

All respirator inspections must include:

• A check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and the condition of the various parts, including, but not limited to the facepiece, head straps,

valves, connecting tubes, and cartridges, canisters,

or filters. A visual inspection of the respirator may

identify parts that may be missing, distorted,

blocked, loose, deteriorated, or otherwise interfere

with proper performance. (See (g)(2) of the 

standard.)

• A check of elastomeric (rubber) parts for pliability

and deterioration.

In addition, inspect:

• Non-emergency use equipment. Before each use

and during cleaning and disinfection.

• Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

Monthly, making sure the air and oxygen cylinders

that are available for immediate use are maintained

in a fully charged state (i.e., pressure is not below

90% of manufacturer’s recommended level). You

must also activate the regulator and low pressure

warning devices to ensure that they function 

properly. 

• Emergency use respirators. At least monthly, 

checking for proper functioning before and after

each use. When inspecting these types of respirators

you must:

- Document the date of inspection, name or 

signature of inspector, inspection findings, any 

remedial action required, and serial number or

other identification of the respirator.

- Retain this information with the respirator, in the

storage compartment or inspection report until

the next certification. You may use tags or labels

to document the inspections.

• Emergency escape-only equipment. Before being

carried into the workplace for use.

The frequency must be noted in your written 

respiratory protection plan.

(h)(4) Repairs

What do I do if a respirator fails to pass inspection?

If a respirator does not pass inspection, you must 

remove the respirator from service and discard, repair,

or adjust it. Tagging out-of-service respirators is a good

means for ensuring that defective respirators are not 

inadvertently used.

When must I replace or repair respirators?

You must replace or repair respirators that are not

working properly. Respirators should not be used if

they are defective in any way. You must replace or 

repair a defective respirator whenever the employee

detects vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in 

breathing resistance, or facepiece leakage, and before

allowing the employee to return to the work area where

respirator use is required.

Who performs the repair work?

Respirators may be repaired only by an appropriately

trained person who must use NIOSH-certified parts 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

4 9

that are designed for the particular respirator being 

repaired.

Valves, regulators, and alarms must be adjusted 

and repaired only by the manufacturer or a technician

trained by the manufacturer.

What are some examples of when a respirator should

be removed from service?

• An alarm system is not functioning on an SCBA.

• A respirator strap, buckle, or connection is damaged

or missing.

• The mask portion of a respirator is misshapen or degraded and can no longer form a good seal around

the user’s face.

Section (i): Breathing air quality 

and use

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

requires you to provide employees who are wearing 

atmosphere-supplying respirators with breathing air of

high purity. Respirators that supply breathing air are

generally used in highly hazardous work environments.

It is critical that such respirator systems provide quality

breathing air and that the equipment operates reliably.

More broadly, you are required to establish or continue a respiratory protection program that follows performance standards for the operation and maintenance

of breathing air compressors, methods for ensuring

breathing air quality, and requirements for the quality of

purchased breathing air.

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATOR MAINTENANCE

AND CARE

√ Check to make sure that your facility has met the

following requirements:

Cleaning and disinfecting:

q Respirators are provided that are clean, sanitary, 

and in good working order.

q Respirators are cleaned and disinfected using the 

procedures specified in Appendix B-2 of the 

standard.

Respirators are cleaned and disinfected:

q As often as necessary when issued for the 

exclusive use of one employee.

q Before being worn by different individuals.

q After each use for emergency use respirators.

q After each use for respirators used for fit testing 

and training.

Storage:

q Respirators are stored to protect them from 

damage from the elements, and from becoming 

deformed.

Emergency respirators are stored:

q To be accessible to the work area.

q In compartments marked as such.

q In accord with manufacturer’s instructions.

Inspections: 

q Routine-use respirators are inspected before each 

use and during cleaning.

q SCBAs and emergency respirators are inspected 

monthly and checked for proper functioning 

before and after each use.

q Emergency escape-only respirators are inspected 

before being carried into the workplace for use.

Inspections include:

q Check of respirator function.

q Tightness of connections.

q Condition of the facepiece, head straps, valves, 

cartridges, and other parts.

q Condition of elastomeric parts.

For SCBAs, inspections include:

q Check that cylinders are fully charged.

q Check that regulators function properly.

q Check that warning devices function properly.

For emergency use respirators, inspections include:

q Certification by documenting the inspection, and 

by tagging the information either to the respirator 

or its compartment, or storing it with inspection 

reports.

Repairs:

q Respirators that have failed inspection are taken 

out of service.

q Repairs are made only by trained personnel.

q Only NIOSH-certified parts are used.

q Reducing and admission valves, regulators and 

alarms are adjusted or repaired only by the 

manufacturer or a technician trained by the 

manufacturer.
5 0

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

The requirements detailed in this section are critical

for ensuring the integrity of high purity breathing air 

for use with respirators, whether the air is delivered 

in tanks by a supplier or produced on site using a 

compressor. Also, it is your responsibility to ensure that

practices are in place for protecting the quality of

breathing air while stored in containers and when being

used by employees. These requirements are essential

for protecting respirator-wearing employees from 

exposure to airborne contaminants.

As detailed below, when using atmospheresupplying respirators you must:

• Provide breathing air that meets certain specifications.

• Develop procedures to ensure the proper use of

compressed gas cylinders and air compressors.

• Implement certain precautions to avoid improper

use of couplings on airline systems and confusion

about breathing air containers.

• Implement certain precautions to prevent exposure

to carbon monoxide when using air compressors.

How is breathing air delivered to the respirator user?

Air compressors capture air from the surrounding environment, filter it, remove oil (if necessary), compress it

to increase its density, and deliver the air through a system of regulators that brings the air back down to a

breathable pressure for the respirator user.

With SCBA units, the pressurized breathing air is

transferred from the tank to the respirator user through

regulators that decrease the pressure to a level that a

human can breathe. Because there is a fixed amount of

air in the tank, the user can only rely on it for a given

period of time. That time varies based on the size of 

the tank, the amount of pressure in the tank, and the

physical effort required by the respirator user. Use

times range from 20 minutes for low pressure tanks

(2,500 psi) to 45 minutes for high pressure tanks (4,500

psi) with moderate physical effort.

The air delivered by both types of systems is at

slightly greater than atmospheric pressure, which assists in preventing contaminated air from seeping

through gaps in the facepiece.

Breathing air that is supplied "on demand" rather

than provided constantly to the user, as in a constant

flow type device, is able to be used with a large, 

compressed air cylinder of breathable air or a bank of

cylinders set up in cascading fashion. Cascading

breathing air assemblies can be designed to provide

breathing air from several assemblies. A pressure 

reducing regulator is supplied to deliver the correct

pressure recommended by the respirator manufacturer.

Air cascading simply means equalizing the pressure 

between the cylinder to be refilled and the next lowest

supply cylinder. If this process does not get the desired

pressure in the small cylinder, the supply cylinder is

turned off and the next highest supply cylinder is

opened and the pressure allowed to equalize between

the two cylinders. A low pressure warning whistle, or

bell, is supplied to notify the user that the cascade 

system has dropped below specified levels. Check

valves are installed on each cylinder stem to prevent

pressure equalization. These valves also allow the user

to independently change cylinders without depressurizing the complete system.

(i)(1) Specifications for breathing air

You must ensure that compressed air, compressed 

oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen meet certain 

specifications as outlined below for breathing by 

employees wearing atmosphere-supplying respirators.

Unless you produce your own breathing air from a

compressor, you can rely on certificates of analysis

from air suppliers to ensure that breathing air meets 

the required specifications.

Types of Breathing Air

Compressed air is the most common type of breathingair system used in worksite applications because it is

the most convenient and least expensive. Compressed

air is provided either through compressed air cylinders

or air compressors at relatively high pressures. 

Regulators are used to ensure that breathing air 

supplied to respirators is provided at pressures that 

are safe for employees to breathe.

Other types of breathing air systems include liquid

air, compressed oxygen, and liquid oxygen. Liquid air 

is air that exists in a liquid state, which is achieved by

compressing purified air and chilling it to a temperature

below the boiling point of its principal components (i.e.,

nitrogen and oxygen). Compressed oxygen systems are

used in limited applications because they present a 

significant fire hazard. Liquid oxygen is quite expensive

and also presents a significant fire hazard. It is generally

used only in very specialized applications.

(i)(1)(i) Compressed and liquid oxygen 

Such forms of compressed oxygen must meet the U.S.

Pharmacopeia requirements for medical or breathing

oxygen.

(i)(1)(ii) Compressed breathing air

Any compressed breathing air must meet at least 

the requirements for Grade D breathing air described 

in “Compressed Gas Association Commodity 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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Specification for Air” (CGA G-7.1-1989). This specification requires that: 

(A) Oxygen content in compressed breathing air must

be 19.5 to 23.5 percent of the total volume of air.

(B) Condensed hydrocarbon content in compressed

breathing air must be 5 milligrams (mg) per each cubic

meter (m3) of air or less.

(C) Carbon monoxide content in compressed breathing

air must be 10 parts per million (ppm) or less.

(D) Carbon dioxide content in compressed breathing air

must be 1,000 ppm or less.

(E) There must be a lack of any noticeable odor from

the compressed breathing air.

(i)(2)&(3) Oxygen use

Explosion/fire hazard from compressor oil and grease.

You must prohibit employees from using compressed

oxygen in respirators that have previously been used

with compressed air. The reason for this prohibition is

that oil and grease can be introduced into respirator 

airlines used for compressed air, posing a danger of fire

or explosion from the high pressure oxygen coming in

contact with the oil or grease. Airline systems contain

inline filters for capturing impurities so that the 

respirator user will not inhale the oil or grease.

Explosion/fire hazard from high concentration oxygen.

You must ensure that employees use oxygen 

concentrations greater than 23.5 percent only with

equipment designed specifically for oxygen service and

distribution. Such equipment is specifically designed to

minimize the risk of fire or explosion posed by the high

concentration of oxygen.

(i)(4) Cylinder use

You must ensure that cylinders used with atmospheresupplying respirators meet the following requirements:

• Cylinders of breathing air must be tested and maintained according to Department of Transportation

(DOT) Shipping Container Specification Regulations

(49 CFR Parts 173 and 178), which include provisions

for the construction, testing, and maintenance of

cylinders. These steps are necessary to prevent 

explosions that can result from a rupture in a breathing air cylinder under high pressure. (Additional

guidance is available in 29 CFR 1910.101(b), which

includes provisions for in-plant handling and 

storage of compressed gas cylinders.)

• Cylinders of purchased breathing air must be 

accompanied by a certificate from the supplier 

indicating that the contents of each cylinder have

been tested and found to meet the criteria for Grade

D breathing air. This certification will provide you

with a reasonable assurance that the breathing air

supplied to your employees is safe.

• Cylinder contents must have a moisture level that

does not exceed a dew point of minus 50° Fahrenheit (F) (minus 45.6° Celsius [C]) at 1 atmosphere

pressure. (Dew point refers to the temperature at

which the air is saturated with moisture.) This 

requirement prevents respirator valves from 

freezing when excess moisture accumulates on the

valves, which can cause blockages in the flow of

breathing air. You should verify with the supplier

that the breathing air meets this requirement.

(i)(5)-(7) Compressor use

You must ensure that compressors used with 

atmosphere-supplying respirators provide breathing 

air according to the following requirements:

(i)(5)(i) Location of compressor during use

The location of an air compressor during use is very 

important to maintain the purity of the supplied breathing air. For this reason, an air compressor in use must

be located so that the air intake component is not 

drawing from areas that contain:

• Combustion exhaust from vehicles or the 

compressor itself.

• Plant process exhaust, which should be exhausted

to the outside by the facility’s ventilation system.

• Contaminated air from hazardous work areas.

(i)(5)(ii) Low moisture content of ambient air 

The moisture content of compressed air must be kept to a

minimum to prevent freezing of respirator valves at cold

temperatures, which can cause blockages in the flow of

breathing air. To ensure a low moisture content, the dew

point at 1 atmosphere must be 10° F (5.56° C) below the

ambient temperature (e.g., in plant). 

Are there any systems for keeping moisture from 

getting into a compressor?

Water traps or desiccators can keep moisture out of a

compressor. These systems remove the water from the

air as it is run through the compressor, ensuring a certain level of dryness when it comes out. Such systems,

like all other parts of a compressor, must be maintained

in accord with the manufacturer’s instructions to properly remove the moisture.

(i)(5)(iii) Inline air purification

Suitable air-purifying beds and filters must be used in

the supply lines to ensure delivery of a continuous flow

of Grade D breathing air to the respirator user. (A 
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

sorbent bed is a filter designed to capture impurities in

the air.) You must maintain, refurbish, or replace inline

sorbent beds and filters as specified by the equipment

manufacturer.

(i)(5)(iv) Tracking of bed and filter changes

You must ensure that a tag is maintained at/on the 

compressor with a note indicating when the sorbent

beds and filters were last changed. The notation must

include the signature of the person you have authorized

to perform the bed and filter maintenance. Only a tag

indicating the most recent filter and bed changes needs

to be retained at/on the compressor.

Requirements Regarding Carbon Monoxide

You must take certain precautions in regard to carbon

monoxide when using compressors with atmospheresupplying respirators. 

These precautions are required because:

• Exposure to carbon monoxide above certain levels

can be fatal.

• Sources of this potentially lethal gas are fairly 

common in many worksites. (In fact, one source 

of carbon monoxide is the exhaust from the 

compressor itself.)

• You will not be able to detect the presence of carbon

monoxide because it is an odorless gas.

• The types of precautions you will need to take 

depend on the type of compressor you use.

(i)(6) Compressors that are not oil lubricated

With this type of compressor, you must ensure that 

carbon monoxide in the breathing air is less than or

equal to 10 ppm. This can be achieved by:

• Locating the compressor’s air intake component in

an area free of contaminants

• Conducting continuous or frequent monitoring of

the breathing air supply

• Using inline carbon monoxide filters

• Using high-temperature alarms or shut-off devices

(i)(7) Compressors that are oil lubricated

With this type of compressor, carbon monoxide can be

generated when oil enters the combustion chamber

and is partially combusted. Therefore, you must ensure

that the compressor operates with a carbon monoxide

alarm or a high-temperature alarm. Carbon monoxide

alarms provide better protection than high-temperature

alarms because the high-temperature alarms only 

detect carbon monoxide generated in the combustion

chamber, and not carbon monoxide resulting from a

poorly located compressor intake. Furthermore, high

temperature alarms are installed more for the purpose

of protecting the compressor from damage than for

guarding employees from exposure to carbon 

monoxide. Because of this, the alarm component of 

the system is often located with the alarm sensor 

where it may not be heard by the respirator users. 

Consequently, if the compressor has only a hightemperature alarm, you must ensure that air quality is

frequently monitored to confirm that carbon monoxide

levels stay below 10 ppm.

How often should I check on carbon monoxide levels?

Periodic monitoring for carbon monoxide is acceptable

when using newer, well-maintained compressors. 

Continuous monitoring, however, is recommended for

older compressors. In older equipment, oil may enter

the air supply more readily due to piston ring or 

cylinder wear. Continuous monitoring also should be

conducted for rented or second-hand compressors 

because the maintenance history is likely to be 

unknown or uncertain.

How do I check carbon monoxide levels?

Carbon monoxide levels can be tested with two general

types of devices:

• Direct reading instruments that use electrochemical

sensors

• Chemical detector tubes

Although the electrochemical devices tend to be

more expensive, they are also more accurate (i.e., they

have a 5 percent error rate). Also, such devices must be

calibrated periodically (usually monthly) to achieve accurate readings. Calibration services provide traceable

calibrations using a wide variety of multimeter devices. 

Newer generations of electrochemical sensors use 

a meter with built-in advanced features that enhance 

reliability and repeatability. These may also have 

auto-zero features to eliminate manual calibration. The

carbon monoxide meter shows carbon monoxide levels

(0–1000 ppm) on a large, backlit liquid crystal display

(LCD) and have hold functions to store and display the

maximum carbon monoxide level.

Chemical detector tubes have an error rate of 10 

to 15 percent. Carbon monoxide filters (i.e., filters that

convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide) with 

color-change indicators may not be used as carbon

monoxide monitors because the color change indicates

the presence of moisture, not carbon monoxide. 

Other devices, such as carbon monoxide probes and

aspirator kits provide additional functions. Probes have
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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both light-emitting diodes (LED) that provide backlighting for indicators and beepers that trigger with 

increasing frequency as carbon monoxide levels rise.

Optional aspirator kits let the user draw flue gas 

samples up to 370 degrees C (700 degrees F).

Must each of these methods be used for compressors

that are not oil lubricated?

No, you must use whichever of the above methods are

necessary to ensure that carbon monoxide does not

contaminate the breathing air. In some cases, one

method may be all that is needed. In other cases, you

may be required to use more than one of these 

methods.

You must evaluate your own worksite conditions 

to determine which measures are needed to prevent

carbon monoxide from contaminating breathing air.

(i)(8) Precautions regarding couplings

You must ensure that couplings used on airlines for 

atmosphere-supplying respirators are incompatible

with outlets for nonbreathable worksite air or other gas 

systems. This precaution must be taken to avoid the

chance of inadvertently connecting a respirator to a

source other than the breathing air. Such a mistake

could result in serious illness or death. Also, you must

ensure that at no time is an asphyxiating substance 

introduced into a respirator’s airlines. For example, an

inert gas such as nitrogen must not be used to purge or

clean breathing airlines.

(i)(9) Labeling of breathing gas containers

You must ensure that breathing air containers are 

labeled in keeping with the NIOSH respirator certification standard (42 CFR 84). The NIOSH standard incorporates ANSI’s Method of Marking Portable Compressed

Gas Containers to Identify Material Contained (Z48.1-

1971). Proper labeling of containers will avoid the possibility of confusion when connecting the breathing air

source to the respirator.

CHECKLIST FOR BREATHING AIR QUALITY 

AND USE

√ Check that at your facility:

General

q Compressed breathing air meets the requirements

for Grade D breathing air.

q Compressed oxygen is not used in respirators that

have previously used compressed air.

q Oxygen concentrations greater than 23.5 percent 

are used only in equipment designed for oxygen 

service or distribution.

q Breathing air couplings are incompatible with 

outlets for other gas systems.

q Breathing gas containers are marked in 

accord with the NIOSH certification standard.

q Carbon monoxide levels are monitored for both 

oil and gas compressors.

Breathing Air Cylinders

q Cylinders are tested and maintained according to 

DOT 49 CFR Parts 173 and 178.

q A certificate of analysis for breathing air has been 

obtained from the supplier.

q Moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed 

a dew point of -50°F at 1 atmosphere pressure.

Compressors

q Are constructed and situated to prevent contaminated air from getting into the system.

q Are set up to minimize the moisture content.

q Are equipped with in-line air-purifying sorbent 

beds and filters that are maintained or replaced 

following manufacturer’s instructions.

q Are tagged with information on the most recent 

change date of the filter and an authorizing 

signature.

q Carbon monoxide does not exceed 10 ppm in the 

breathing air from compressors that are not oillubricated.

q High-temperature or carbon monoxide alarms are 

used on oil-lubricated compressors; monitor the 

air often enough to ensure that carbon monoxide 

does not exceed 10 ppm if only a high-temperature alarm is used.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Section (j): Identification of filters,

cartridges and canisters

This section of the standard requires you to ensure that

all filters, cartridges and canisters used are labeled and

color coded with the NIOSH approval label. You must

also ensure that the label is not removed and remains

legible.

To fulfill these requirements, you should adopt appropriate procedures for ensuring that:

• Only NIOSH-certified filters, cartridges and canisters

are used

• Labels are not removed, defaced, or obscured 

during respirator usage

Your written respiratory protection program must include these provisions.

What is included on the NIOSH label?

The label clearly states the class of contaminants for

which the filter, cartridge, or canister may be used (e.g.,

permissible particulate respirator filter for dusts, fumes

and mists, including asbestos-containing dusts and

mists and radionuclides). The NIOSH certification 

number and any limitations or precautions are also 

included on the label.

What is the purpose of the label?

The NIOSH label serves several purposes. It ensures 

selection of the appropriate cartridge/canister for the

contaminants found in the workplace. Also, it permits

the employee using the respirator to check and confirm

that the respirator has the appropriate filters before the

respirator is used. Further, the color coding scheme 

allows fellow employees, supervisors and the respiratory protection program administrator to readily determine that the worker is using the appropriate filter.

Can I write the date of initial use on the label?

Yes, marking the initial use date on the label can be

done if it does not obscure the information on the label.

Section (k): Training and information

This section of the Respiratory Protection standard 

requires you to train your employees on all the essential elements that help protect the employees while they

use respirators. Some of these components answer the

following questions, among others: why the respirator

is needed; how must the respirator be maintained; and,

what steps should the employee take when respirators

fail to function or in emergency situations. Training on

fit testing for negative pressure respirators and the

need for user seal checks after donning respirators is

important for the employee to determine how well a

respirator fits. Employee training is a critical part of a

successful respiratory protection program and is 

essential for correct respirator use. You must provide

training to your employees who are required to wear

respirators.

(k)(1) Content of training

You must ensure that each worker can demonstrate

knowledge of at least the following:

• Why the respirator is necessary and how improper

fit, usage and maintenance can make the respirator

ineffective.

- Training must include the identification of hazards,

the extent of employee exposure to those hazards,

and the potential health effects of exposure. 

The training that is required under the Hazard 

Communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) can

satisfy this requirement for chemical hazards. 

Employees must understand that proper fit,

usage, and maintenance of respirators is critical 

to ensure that they can perform their protective

function.

• The limitations and capabilities of the selected 

respirator.

- Training must address how the respirator operates. Included must be an explanation of how the

respirator provides protection by filtering the air,

absorbing the gas or vapor, or by supplying a

clean source of air. Limitations on the use of the

equipment, such as prohibitions against using an

air-purifying respirator in an IDLH atmosphere,

and why not, must also be explained.

- Training must address the possibility of respirator

malfunction and the development of emergency

situations specific to the worksite. Employees

must understand what procedures are to be 

followed in such circumstances, and which 

procedures require use of a different respirator.

• How to properly select cartridges and canisters and

know the assigned cartridge and canister change

schedules for the devices selected. 

- Training must address how to use the respirator

effectively in terms of the use of cartridges and

canisters, the exposures the cartridges are 

designed to address, and knowledge of the 

estimated service life of cartridges.

• How to use the respirator effectively in emergency

situations.

- Training must address how to use a respirator 

effectively in emergency situations, which are 

occurrences such as, but not limited to, respirator

malfunctions or failures, rupture of containers, or

failure of control equipment that may or does 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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result in an uncontrolled substantial release of an

airborne contaminant. Respirators malfunction on

occasion, work routines change, and emergency

situations occur that require a different respirator.

The training program must discuss these 

possibilities and the procedures the employer has

established to deal with them. Such training is

necessary when respirators are to be used in IDLH

situations, including oxygen-deficient atmospheres, such as those that occur in firefighting,

rescue operations and confined area entry.

• How to inspect, put on and remove, use and check

the seals of the respirator.

- You must train employees how to recognize 

problems that may decrease the effectiveness 

of the respirator and what steps to follow if a

problem is detected, such as the person to 

whom problems should be reported and where

replacement equipment can be obtained if

needed. If specialized personnel conduct inspections, individual respirator wearers only need to

be taught about the portions of the inspection

process that are their responsibility. You must 

also cover how to properly put on and remove the

respirator to ensure that respirator fit in the workplace is as close as possible to the fit obtained

during fit testing. Employees must be trained to

perform user seal checks. (See Appendix B-1 of

the standard.)

• The respirator maintenance and storage procedures.

- The extent of training required may vary 

according to workplace conditions. If employees

are individually responsible for storing and 

maintaining respirators, detailed training may be

necessary. If specialized personnel perform these

functions, employees only need to be informed of

the general maintenance and storage procedures.

• How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that

may limit or prevent effective use of the respirator.

- You must instruct employees to recognize medical

signs and symptoms, such as shortness of breath

or dizziness that may limit or prevent effective use

of respirators.

• The general requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard.

- You must ensure that employees are aware, in

general, of your obligations under the standard.

This discussion need not focus on the standard’s

provisions but could, for example, simply inform

employees that employers are obligated to 

develop a written program, properly select 

respirators, evaluate respirator use, correct 

deficiencies in respirator use, conduct medical

evaluations, provide for the maintenance, storage

and cleaning of respirators, and retain and provide

access to specific records.

Do I need to follow a particular format?

No. As long as the required topics are addressed, you

can use whatever training method is effective. Prepared

materials, such as audiovisual and slide presentations,

formal classroom instruction, informal discussions during safety meetings, training programs developed or

conducted by unions or respirator manufacturers, or a

combination of these methods may be used.

In what sense are employees expected to be able to

“demonstrate knowledge” of proper respirator use

based on the training?

You must ensure that, before an employee is required

to use a respirator in the workplace, he or she understands the information provided and can use the 

respirator properly. This can be done by reviewing the

training with the employee either orally or in writing,

and by reviewing the employee’s hands-on use of 

respirators.

(k)(2) Comprehension of training

Training must be conducted in a manner that is 

understandable to your employees. This means that

your program should be tailored to your employees’

education level and language background. 

(k)(3) Timing of training

You must provide the required training prior to having 

an employee use a respirator in the workplace. 

(k)(4) Portability of training

If you can demonstrate that a new employee has 

received training within the last 12 months and can

demonstrate the necessary knowledge, you are not 

required to repeat this training. In cases where training

in some elements is lacking or inadequate, you are 

required to provide training in those elements. Previous

training that has been transported with the employee

(i.e., not repeated initially) must be provided no later

than 12 months from the date of the previous training. 

(k)(5) Retraining

You must retrain employees in the proper use of respirators annually. You must also retrain employees when:

• Changes in the workplace or the type of respirator

make previous training obsolete.

• The knowledge and skill necessary to use the respirator properly has not been retained by the employee.

• Any other situation arises in which retraining 
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Occupational Safety and 

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appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use.

(k)(6) Information for voluntary respirator users

For employees who choose to wear a respirator but are

not required to do so, you are required to provide the

advisory information in Appendix D of the standard. A

copy of the standard is provided in Attachment 3 of this

guide. This basic information on the proper use of 

respirators can be presented to the employee either

verbally or in written form. Training is usually not 

required for employees who are not required to wear

respirators, i.e., for employees who are wearing 

respirators voluntarily.

Section (l): Program Evaluation

(l)(1) Conducting program evaluations

You must perform evaluations of the workplace as 

necessary to make sure that your written respiratory

protection program is working effectively.

How often do I need to evaluate my written respiratory

protection program?

You do not need to review your respiratory protection

program according to any fixed schedule. The 

frequency with which you need to evaluate your 

respiratory protection program will depend on the 

complexity and/or variability of the program and factors

such as:

• The type and extent of hazards in your workplace.

• The types of respirators used by your employees.

• The number of your employees who use respirators.

• The amount of experience your respirator-wearing

employeess have in using respirators.

You must evaluate respirator use with sufficient frequency to ensure that all elements of the respiratory

protection program are being effectively implemented.

(l)(2) Consulting with employees

You must regularly consult with employees required 

to wear respirators to assess their views on the 

effectiveness of the respiratory protection program and

to identify any problems that they may be encountering

with the use of respirators. You must correct any 

problems that are identified.

At a minimum, you must assess:

• Whether proper fit of respirators is being achieved,

and whether respirator use is interfering with 

effective work performance.

• Whether appropriate respirators have been selected.

• Whether respirators are being properly used.

• Whether respirators are being properly maintained.

When I consult with my employees, what should I ask

them?

You may want to ask your workers questions such as:

• Does your respirator interfere with your hearing or

vision?

• Do you experience fatigue or have difficulty breathing during respirator use?

• Does your respirator restrict your movements or 

interfere with your job performance in any way?

• Is your respirator uncomfortable?

CHECKLIST FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION

√ Check that your facility provides the following:

Demonstration of employees’ knowledge of:

q Why the respirator is necessary and the consequences of improper fit, use, or maintenance.

q The limitations and capabilities of the respirator.

q How to effectively use the respirator in emergency

situations, including respirator malfunction.

q How to inspect, put on, remove, use and check 

the seals of the respirator.

q Maintenance and storage procedures.

q The general requirements of the Respiratory 

Protection standard.

q How to recognize medical signs and symptoms 

that may limit or prevent effective use of the 

respirator.

√ Check that your facility satisfies the general 

requirements of the respirator standard by providing

the following:

q Training that is understandable to employees.

q Training prior to employee use of a respirator.

q Retraining as specified below: 

• Annually.

• Upon changes in workplace conditions that 

affect respirator use.

• When knowledge and skills for respirator use

are not retained by the employee.

• Whenever retraining appears necessary to 

ensure safe respirator use.

q Appendix D of the standard to voluntary users.
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• Are you confident that you are using your respirator

correctly?

• Are you confident that your respirator is performing

adequately?

How long do I need to retain fit test records?

Fit test records must be retained for respirator users

until the next fit test is administered.

Do I need to retain records of fit tests for employees

who are no longer using respirators?

No, fit test records do not need to be retained for these

employees.

(m)(3) Written respiratory protection program

You must retain a written copy of your current 

respiratory protection program.

(m)(4) Access to records

Written materials required to be retained must be made

available upon request to the affected employees, their

designated representatives (29 CFR 1910.1020), and to

OSHA. (See also 29 CFR 1910.1020 at: http://www.osha.

gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=

STANDARDS&p_id=10027.)

Do I need to allow employees and OSHA to make

copies of these materials?

Yes, you need to make these materials available for 

inspection and for copying.

Must employees be allowed access to the records of

other employees?

No, each affected employe can have access to his or her

records only.

CHECKLIST FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION

√ Check that your facility:

q Conducts workplace evaluations as necessary to 

ensure that the written respiratory protection 

program is being effectively implemented.

q Regularly consults with employees required to 

wear respirators to assess their views on the 

respiratory protection program and to identify 

problems with respirator fit, selection, use and 

maintenance. 

q Corrects any problems identified during assessments.

Section (m): Recordkeeping

You must retain certain records to: 

• assist you in auditing the adequacy of your respiratory protection program 

• facilitate employee involvement 

• allow OSHA to inspect your records and make 

compliance determinations

(m)(1) Medical evaluation records

Records of medical evaluations required by paragraph

(e) of the standard must be retained and made available

to the employees in accord with OSHA’s Access to 

Employee Exposure and Medical Records standard 

(29 CFR 1910.1020).

(m)(2) Respirator fit testing records

You are required to retain written records of the 

qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to

your employees. These records need to include:

• The name or identification of the worker tested.

• The type of fit test performed.

• The make, model and size of the respirator tested.

• The date of the fit test.

• Pass/fail results if a qualitative fit test (QLFT) is used,

or the fit factor and strip chart recording or other

record of the test results if a quantitative fit test

(QNFT) is used.

CHECKLIST FOR RECORDKEEPING

√ Check that your facility does the following:

q Retains records of medical evaluations.

q Retains fit testing records.

q Retains a copy of the current respiratory 

protection program.

q Provides access to the above records by affected 

employees and OSHA.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Attachment 1: 

APF Glossary and definitions

The preamble to the final rule for Assigned Protection

Factors (APF) includes a glossary (see 71 FR 50122; 

August 24, 2006) that provides an auxiliary list of terms

used in the APF rulemaking and throughout the preamble to the APF final rule. In the glossary portion, there is

both a list of acronyms used in the APF rule and a list of

definitions, in addition to the definitions in the APF rulemaking for Assigned Protection Factor and Maximum

Use Concentration (MUC). The glossary contains

acronyms and terms from the final Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134) each of which is printed

in brown italics and is highlighted with an asterisk (*).

The purpose of this glossary in this Small Entity Compliance Guide, is to provide those same acronyms and

terms from the final Respiratory Protection standard,

and to provide the new definitions for APFs and MUCs

from the APF rulemaking in one place for ease of 

review. A copy of the Respiratory Protection standard is

provided in Attachment 3. (See 71 FR 50122, 

August 24, 2006, for a copy of the APF standard.) 

This glossary specifies the terms represented by

acronyms and provides definitions of other terms used

frequently in the preamble to the final rule. This glossary does not change the legal requirements in this

final rule, nor is it intended to impose new regulatory

requirements on the regulated community. 

Acronyms

ACGIH American Conference of Governmental 

Industrial Hygienists

AIHA American Industrial Hygiene Association

ANSI American National Standards Institute

APF Assigned Protection Factor (see definition) 

APR Air-purifying respirator (see definition)

Ci Concentration measured inside the 

respirator facepiece

Co Concentration measured outside the 

respirator

DFM Dust, fume, and mist filter

DOP Dioctylphthalate (see definition) 

EPF Effective Protection Factor (see definition 

below under “Protection factor study”) 

HEPA High efficiency particulate air filter (see 

definition) 

IDLH Immediately dangerous to life or health

(see definition) 

LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory

LASL Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory

LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

MSHA Mine Safety and Health Administration

MUC Maximum Use Concentration (see 

definition) 

NFPA National Fire Protection Association

NIOSH National Institute for Occupational Safety 

and Health

NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health 

Administration

OSH Act The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 

1970 (29 U.S.C. 655, 657, 665). 

PAPR Powered air-purifying respirator (see 

definition) 

PEL Permissible Exposure Limit (see definition) 

PPF Program Protection Factor (see definition 

below under “Protection factor study”)

QLFT Qualitative fit test (see definition) 

QNFT Quantitative fit test (see definition) 

RDL Respirator Decision Logic 

(see definition) 

REL Recommended Exposure Limit (see 

definition) 

SAR Supplied-air (or airline) respirator (see 

definition) 

SCBA Self-contained breathing apparatus (see 

definition) 

SWPF Simulated Workplace Protection Factor 

(see definition below under “Protection 

factor study”)

TLV Threshold Limit Value (see definition)

WPF Workplace Protection Factor (see definition 

below under “Protection factor study”) 

Definitions

Terms preceded by an asterisk (*) refer to definitions

that can be found in paragraph (b) (“Definitions”) of

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR

1910.134).

*Air-purifying respirator: A respirator with an air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air

contaminants by passing ambient air through the airpurifying element.

*Assigned protection factor (APF): means the workplace

level of respiratory protection that a respirator or class

of respirators is expected to provide to employees when

the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program as specified by this section.
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*Atmosphere-supplying respirator: A respirator that

supplies the respirator user with breathing air from a

source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and 

includes SARs and SCBA units.

*Canister or cartridge: A container with a filter, sorbent,

or catalyst, or combination of these items, which 

removes specific contaminants from the air passed

through the container.

Continuous flow respirator: An atmosphere-supplying

respirator that provides a continuous flow of breathable

air to the respirator facepiece.

*Demand respirator: An atmosphere-supplying 

respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece

only when a negative pressure is created inside the

facepiece by inhalation.

Dioctylphthalate (DOP): An aerosolized agent used for

quantitative fit testing. 

Elastomeric: A respirator facepiece made of a natural

or synthetic elastic material such as natural rubber, 

silicone, or synthetic rubber. 

*Emergency situation: Any occurrence such as, but not

limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or

failure of control equipment that may or does result in

an uncontrolled significant release of an airborne 

contaminant. 

*Employee exposure: Exposure to a concentration 

of an airborne contaminant that would occur if the 

employee were not using respiratory protection. 

*End-of-service-life indicator (ESLI): A system that

warns the respirator user of the approach of the end of

adequate respiratory protection, for example, that the

sorbent is approaching saturation or is no longer 

effective. 

*Escape-only respirator: A respirator intended to be

used only for emergency exit. 

*Filter or air-purifying element: A component used in

respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols from the

inspired air.

*Filtering facepiece (or dust mask): A negative 

pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral

part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece 

composed of the filtering medium.

*Fit factor: A quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular

respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates

the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient

air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn.

*Fit test: The use of a protocol to qualitatively or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual.

*Helmet: A rigid respiratory inlet covering that also provides head protection against impact and penetration.

*High-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA): A filter that

is at least 99.97% efficient in removing monodispersed

particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter. The equivalent

NIOSH 42 CFR 84 particulate filters are the N100, R100,

and P100 filters.

*Hood: A respiratory inlet covering that completely

covers the head and neck and may also cover portions

of the shoulders and torso.

*Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH): An 

atmosphere that poses an immediate threat to life,

would cause irreversible adverse health effects, or

would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a

dangerous atmosphere.

*Interior structural firefighting: The physical activity of

fire suppression, rescue or both, inside of buildings or

enclosed structures which are involved in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage. (See 29 CFR 1910.155). 

*Loose-fitting facepiece: A respiratory inlet covering

that is designed to form a partial seal with the face.

*Maximum use concentration (MUC): The maximum

atmospheric concentration of a hazardous substance

from which an employee can be expected to be 

protected when wearing a respirator, and is determined

by the assigned protection factor of the respirator or

class of respirators and the exposure limit of the 

hazardous substance. The MUC can be determined

mathematically by multiplying the assigned protection

factor specified for a respirator by the required OSHA

permissible exposure limit, short-term exposure limit,

or ceiling limit. When no OSHA exposure limit is 

available for a hazardous substance, an employer must

determine an MUC on the basis of relevant available 

information and informed professional judgment.

*Negative pressure respirator (tight-fitting): A 

respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece

is negative during inhalation with respect to the 

ambient air pressure outside the respirator.

*Oxygen deficient atmosphere: An atmosphere with an

oxygen content below 19.5% by volume. 

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): An occupational 

exposure limit specified by OSHA. 

*Physician or other licensed healthcare professional

(PLHCP): An individual whose legally permitted scope

of practice (i.e., license, registration, or certification) 

allows him or her to independently provide, or be 

delegated the responsibility to provide, some or all of

the healthcare services required by paragraph (e) of 

this section.

*Positive pressure respirator: A respirator in which the

pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds

the ambient air pressure outside the respirator.
6 0

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

*Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR): An air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient

air through air-purifying elements to the inlet covering.

*Pressure demand respirator: A positive pressure 

atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits breathing

air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is 

reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.

Protection factor study: A study that determines the

protection provided by a respirator during use. This 

determination generally is accomplished by measuring

the ratio of the concentration of an airborne contaminant (e.g., hazardous substance) outside the respirator

(Co) to the concentration inside the respirator (Ci) (i.e.,

Co/Ci). Therefore, as the ratio between Co and Ci 

increases, the protection factor increases, indicating 

an increase in the level of protection provided to 

employees by the respirator. Four types of protection

factor studies are:

Effective Protection Factor (EPF) study - a study, 

conducted in the workplace, that measures the 

protection provided by a properly selected, fit-tested,

and functioning respirator when used intermittently

for only some fraction of the total workplace exposure time (i.e., sampling is conducted during periods

when respirators are worn and not worn). EPFs are

not directly comparable to Workplace Protection Factor (WPF) values because the determinations include

both the time spent in contaminated atmospheres

with and without respiratory protection; therefore,

EPFs usually underestimate the protection afforded

by a respirator that is used continuously in the workplace.

Program Protection Factor (PPF) study - a study that

estimates the protection provided by a respirator

within a specific respirator program. Like the EPF, it 

is focused not only on the respirator’s performance,

but also the effectiveness of the complete respirator

program. PPFs are affected by all factors of the 

program, including respirator selection and maintenance, user training and motivation, work activities

and program administration. 

Workplace Protection Factor (WPF) study - a study,

conducted under actual conditions of use in the

workplace, that measures the protection provided by

a properly selected, fit-tested, and functioning respirator, when the respirator is worn correctly and used

as part of a comprehensive respirator program that is

in compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection

standard at 29 CFR 1910.134. Measurements of Co

and Ci are obtained only while the respirator is being

worn during performance of normal work tasks (i.e.,

samples are not collected when the respirator is not

being worn). As the degree of protection afforded by

the respirator increases, the WPF increases. 

Simulated Workplace Protection Factor (SWPF) study

- a study, conducted in a controlled laboratory setting

and in which Co and Ci sampling is performed while

the respirator user performs a series of set exercises.

The laboratory setting is used to control many of the

variables found in workplace studies, while the exercises simulate the work activities of respirator users.

This type of study is designed to determine the 

optimum performance of respirators by reducing the

impact of sources of variability through maintenance

of tightly controlled study conditions. 

*Qualitative fit test (QLFT): A pass/fail fit test to 

assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the

individual’s response to the test agent.

*Quantitative fit test (QNFT): An assessment of the 

adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the

amount of leakage into the respirator.

Recommended Exposure Limit (REL): An occupational

exposure level recommended by NIOSH. 

Respirator Decision Logic (RDL): Respirator selection

guidance developed by NIOSH that contains a set of

respirator protection factors. 

*Respiratory inlet covering: That portion of a respirator

that forms the protective barrier between the user’s 

respiratory tract and an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both. It may be a facepiece, helmet,

hood, suit, or a mouthpiece respirator with nose clamp. 

*Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA): An atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the breathing

air source is designed to be carried by the user.

*Supplied-air respirator (or airline) respirator (SAR): An

atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source

of breathing air is not designed to be carried by the

user. 

Threshold Limit Value (TLV): An occupational exposure

level recommended by ACGIH. 

*Tight-fitting facepiece: A respiratory inlet covering

that forms a complete seal with the face.

*User seal check: An action conducted by the 

respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly

seated to the face.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

6 1

Attachment 2: 

Checklists

CHECKLIST FOR PERMISSIBLE PRACTICE

√ Check all that apply:

Hazard Determination

Is there a hazardous atmosphere in your workplace,

which has (check all that apply): 

q Insufficient oxygen

q Harmful levels of chemical, biological, or 

radiological contaminants

q Known and reasonably foreseeable emergencies 

related to...

q Unknown exposure levels or exposures to 

substances without an OSHA PEL

If you did not check any of the boxes above, the 

Respiratory Protection standard does not apply to

your workplace.

If you checked any of the boxes above, the Respiratory Protection standard may apply to your workplace.

OSHA requires use of the following methods to control the hazardous atmosphere(s) in your workplace:

q Engineering controls, such as ventilation, isolation

or enclosure of the work process, or substitution of

non-hazardous materials for the materials that pose

respiratory hazards; and 

q Administrative controls, such as worker rotation,

or scheduling major maintenance for weekends or

times when few workers are present.

When engineering controls are not feasible, or 

while engineering controls are being installed or

maintained, or whenever there is an emergency, 

appropriate respirators must be used.

Does your workplace have (check the box to indicate

yes, and check all that apply):

q Sufficient engineering controls to prevent illness

or diseases caused by breathing hazardous air in the

workplace 

q Sufficient administrative controls to prevent illness

If you did not check both of the boxes above, 

the Respiratory Protection standard does apply to

your workplace, and you must develop a written 

respiratory protection program that is specific to 

your workplace.

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATORY PROTECTION

PROGRAMS

√ Does your program contain written procedures for

(check all that apply):

q Your specific workplace

q Selecting respirators

q Medical evaluations of employees required to 

wear respirators

q Fit testing

q Routine and emergency respirator use

q Schedules for cleaning, disinfecting, storing, 

inspecting, repairing, discarding, and maintaining 

respirators 

q Ensuring adequate air quality for supplied-air 

respirators

q Training in respiratory hazards

q Training in proper use and maintenance of 

respirators 

q Program evaluation

q Ensuring that employees who voluntarily wear 

respirators (excluding filtering facepieces) comply 

with the medical evaluation and cleaning, storing 

and maintenance requirements of the standard

q A designated program administrator who is 

qualified to administer the program

q Updating the written program as necessary to 

account for changes in the workplace affecting 

respirator use

q Providing equipment, training and medical 

evaluations at no cost to employees

If you did not check all of the boxes above, your 

respiratory protection program does not meet OSHA

standards.
6 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATOR SELECTION

√ Check that the following has been done at your 

facility:

q Respiratory hazards in your workplace have been 

identified and evaluated.

q Employee exposures that have not been, or 

cannot be, evaluated must be considered IDLH.

q Respirators are NIOSH-certified, and used under 

the conditions of certification.

q Respirators are selected based on the workplace 

hazards evaluated and workplace and user factors 

affecting respirator performance and reliability.

q Respirators are selected based on the APFs and 

calculated MUCs.

q A sufficient number of respirator sizes and models

are provided for selection purposes.

For IDLH atmospheres:

q Full facepiece pressure demand SARs with 

auxiliary SCBA unit or full facepiece pressure 

demand SCBAs, with a minimum service life of 

30 minutes, are provided.

q Respirators used for escape only are NIOSHcertified for the atmosphere in which they will 

be used.

q Oxygen deficient atmospheres must be 

considered IDLH (d)(2)(B)(iii).

For Non-IDLH atmospheres:

q Respirators selected are appropriate for the APFs 

and MUCs.

q Respirators selected are appropriate for the 

chemical nature and physical form of the 

contaminant.

q Air-purifying respirators used for protection 

against gases and vapors are equipped with ESLIs 

or a change schedule has been implemented.

q Air-purifying respirators used for protection 

against particulates are equipped with NIOSHcertified HEPA filters or other filters certified by 

NIOSH for particulates under 42 CFR part 84.

CHECKLIST FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION

√ Check that the following has been done at your 

facility:

q All employees have been evaluated to determine 

their ability to wear a respirator prior to being fit 

tested for or wearing a respirator for the first time 

in your workplace.

q A physician or other licensed healthcare professional (PLHCP) has been identified to perform the 

medical evaluations.

q The medical evaluations obtain the information 

requested in Sections 1 and 2, Part A of 

Appendix C of the standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. 

(See Attachment 3)

q Employees are provided follow-up medical exams 

if they answer positively to any of questions 1 

through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C of the

standard, or if their medical examination reveals 

that a follow-up exam is needed.

q Medical evaluations are administered confidentially during normal work hours, and in a manner 

that is understandable to employees.

q Employees are provided the opportunity to discuss 

the medical evaluation results with the PLHCP.

q The following supplemental information is 

provided to the PLHCP before he or she makes a 

decision about respirator use:

• Type and weight of the respirator.

• Duration and frequency of respirator use.

• Expected physical work effort.

• Additional protective clothing to be worn.

• Potential temperature and humidity extremes.

• Written copies of the respiratory protection 

program and the Respiratory Protection 

standard are provided to the PLHCP.

q Written recommendations are obtained from the 

PLHCP regarding each employee’s ability to wear 

a respirator, and that the PLHCP has given the 

worker a copy of these recommendations.

q Employees who are medically unable to wear a 

negative pressure respirator are provided with a 

powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) if they are 

found by the PLHCP to be medically able to use a 

PAPR. (29 CFR 1910.1034(e)(6)(ii).)

Employees are given additional medical evaluations

when:

q The employee reports symptoms related to his or 

her ability to use a respirator.

q The PLHCP, respiratory protection program 

administrator, or supervisor determines that a 

medical reevaluation is necessary.

q Information from the respiratory protection 

program suggests a need for reevaluation.

q Workplace conditions have changed in a way that 

could potentially place an increased physiological 

burden on the employee.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

6 3

CHECKLIST FOR FIT TESTING

√ Check all the fit tests listed below that are used at

your facility:

q Employees who are using tight-fitting respirator 

facepieces have passed an appropriate fit test 

prior to being required to use a respirator.

q Fit testing is conducted with the same make, 

model, style and size that the employee will be 

expected to use at the worksite.

q Fit tests are conducted annually and when 

different respirator facepieces are to be used.

q Provisions are made to conduct additional fit tests 

in the event of physical changes in the employee 

that may affect respirator fit.

q Employees are given the opportunity to select a 

different respirator facepiece, and be retested if 

their respirator fit is unacceptable to them.

q Fit tests are administered using OSHA-accepted 

QNFT or QLFT protocols.

q QLFT is only used to fit test either PAPRs, SCBAs, 

or negative pressure APRs that must achieve a fit 

factor of 100 or less.

q QNFT is used in all situations where a negative 

pressure respirator is intended to protect 

workers from contaminant concentrations 

greater than 10 times the PEL.

q When QNFT is used to fit negative pressure 

respirators, a minimum fit factor of 100 is 

achieved for tight-fitting half facepieces and 500 

for full facepieces.

For tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators

and powered air-purifying respirators:

q Fit tests are conducted in the negative pressure 

mode.

q QLFT is achieved by temporarily converting the 

facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with 

appropriate filters, or by using an identical 

negative pressure APR.

q QNFT is achieved by modifying the facepiece to 

allow for sampling inside the mask midway 

between the nose and mouth. If the facepiece is 

permanently converted during fit testing, the 

respirator is no longer approved for workplace 

use.

CHECKLIST FOR PROPER USE OF 

RESPIRATORS

√ Check your facility to be certain that:

q Employees using tight-fitting respirators have no 

conditions, such as facial hair, that would interfere 

with a face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.

q Employees wear corrective glasses, goggles, or 

other protective equipment in a manner that does 

not interfere with the face-to-facepiece seal or 

valve function.

q Employees perform user seal checks prior to each 

use of a tight-fitting respirator.

q There are procedures for conducting ongoing 

surveillance of the work area for conditions that 

affect respirator effectiveness, and that, when 

such conditions exist, you take steps to address 

those situations.

q Employees are permitted to leave their work area 

to conduct respirator maintenance, such as 

washing the facepiece, or to replace respirator 

parts.

q Employees do not return to their work area until 

their respirator has been repaired or replaced in 

the event of a breakthrough, a leak in the facepiece, or a change in breathing resistance.

q There are procedures for respirator use in IDLH 

atmospheres and during interior structural 

firefighting to ensure that: the appropriate number

of standby personnel are deployed; standby 

personnel and workers in the IDLH environment maintain communication; standby personnel

are properly trained, equipped, and prepared; you 

will be notified when standby personnel enter an 

IDLH atmosphere; and you will respond appropriately to this notification.

q Standby personnel are equipped with a pressure 

demand or other positive pressure SCBA, or a 

positive pressure supplied-air respirator with an 

escape SCBA, and appropriate retrieval equipment

or other means for rescue.

q Procedures for interior structural firefighting 

require that: at least two employees enter the 

IDLH atmosphere and remain in contact with one 

another at all times; at least two standby personnel are used; and all firefighting employees use 

SCBAs.
6 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

CHECKLIST FOR RESPIRATOR MAINTENANCE

AND CARE

√ Check to make sure that your facility has met the

following requirements:

Cleaning and disinfecting:

q Respirators are provided that are clean, sanitary, 

and in good working order.

q Respirators are cleaned and disinfected using the 

procedures specified in Appendix B-2 of the 

standard.

Respirators are cleaned and disinfected:

q As often as necessary when issued for the 

exclusive use of one employee.

q Before being worn by different individuals.

q After each use for emergency use respirators.

q After each use for respirators used for fit testing 

and training.

Storage:

q Respirators are stored to protect them from 

damage from the elements, and from becoming 

deformed.

Emergency respirators are stored:

q To be accessible to the work area.

q In compartments marked as such.

q In accord with manufacturer’s instructions.

Inspections: 

q Routine-use respirators are inspected before each 

use and during cleaning.

q SCBAs and emergency respirators are inspected 

monthly and checked for proper functioning 

before and after each use.

q Emergency escape-only respirators are inspected 

before being carried into the workplace for use.

Inspections include:

q Check of respirator function.

q Tightness of connections.

q Condition of the facepiece, head straps, valves, 

cartridges, and other parts.

q Condition of elastomeric parts.

For SCBAs, inspections include:

q Check that cylinders are fully charged.

q Check that regulators function properly.

q Check that warning devices function properly.

For emergency use respirators, inspections include:

q Certification by documenting the inspection, and 

by tagging the information either to the respirator 

or its compartment, or storing it with inspection 

reports.

Repairs:

q Respirators that have failed inspection are taken 

out of service.

q Repairs are made only by trained personnel.

q Only NIOSH-certified parts are used.

q Reducing and admission valves, regulators and 

alarms are adjusted or repaired only by the 

manufacturer or a technician trained by the 

manufacturer.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

6 5

CHECKLIST FOR BREATHING AIR QUALITY 

AND USE

√ Check that at your facility:

General

q Compressed breathing air meets the requirements

for Grade D breathing air.

q Compressed oxygen is not used in respirators that

have previously used compressed air.

q Oxygen concentrations greater than 23.5 percent 

are used only in equipment designed for oxygen 

service or distribution.

q Breathing air couplings are incompatible with 

outlets for other gas systems.

q Breathing gas containers are marked in 

accord with the NIOSH certification standard.

q Carbon monoxide levels are monitored for both 

oil and gas compressors.

Breathing Air Cylinders

q Cylinders are tested and maintained according to 

DOT 49 CFR Parts 173 and 178.

q A certificate of analysis for breathing air has been 

obtained from the supplier.

q Moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed 

a dew point of -50°F at 1 atmosphere pressure.

Compressors

q Are constructed and situated to prevent contaminated air from getting into the system.

q Are set up to minimize the moisture content.

q Are equipped with in-line air-purifying sorbent 

beds and filters that are maintained or replaced 

following manufacturer’s instructions.

q Are tagged with information on the most recent 

change date of the filter and an authorizing 

signature.

q Carbon monoxide does not exceed 10 ppm in the 

breathing air from compressors that are not oillubricated.

q High-temperature or carbon monoxide alarms are 

used on oil-lubricated compressors; monitor the 

air often enough to ensure that carbon monoxide 

does not exceed 10 ppm if only a high-temperature alarm is used.

CHECKLIST FOR TRAINING AND INFORMATION

√ Check that your facility provides the following:

Demonstration of employees’ knowledge of:

q Why the respirator is necessary and the consequences of improper fit, use, or maintenance.

q The limitations and capabilities of the respirator.

q How to effectively use the respirator in emergency

situations, including respirator malfunction.

q How to inspect, put on, remove, use and check 

the seals of the respirator.

q Maintenance and storage procedures.

q The general requirements of the Respiratory 

Protection standard.

q How to recognize medical signs and symptoms 

that may limit or prevent effective use of the 

respirator.

√ Check that your facility satisfies the general 

requirements of the respirator standard by providing

the following:

q Training that is understandable to employees.

q Training prior to employee use of a respirator.

q Retraining as specified below: 

• Annually.

• Upon changes in workplace conditions that 

affect respirator use.

• When knowledge and skills for respirator use

are not retained by the employee.

• Whenever retraining appears necessary to 

ensure safe respirator use.

q Appendix D of the standard to voluntary users.
6 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

CHECKLIST FOR PROGRAM EVALUATION

√ Check that your facility:

q Conducts workplace evaluations as necessary to 

ensure that the written respiratory protection 

program is being effectively implemented.

q Regularly consults with employees required to 

wear respirators to assess their views on the 

respiratory protection program and to identify 

problems with respirator fit, selection, use and 

maintenance. 

q Corrects any problems identified during assessments.

CHECKLIST FOR RECORDKEEPING

√ Check that your facility does the following:

q Retains records of medical evaluations.

q Retains fit testing records.

q Retains a copy of the current respiratory 

protection program.

q Provides access to the above records by affected 

employees and OSHA.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

6 7

Attachment 3 

Respiratory Protection Standard

This section applies to General Industry (part 1910),

Shipyards (part 1915), Marine Terminals (part 1917),

Longshoring (part 1918), and Construction (part

1926).

1910.134(a)

Permissible practice.

1910.134(a)(1)

In the control of those occupational diseases caused

by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts,

fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors,

the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be accomplished as

far as feasible by accepted engineering control

measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of

the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or while they are

being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be

used pursuant to this section.

1910.134(a)(2)

Respirators shall be provided by the employer when

such equipment is necessary to protect the health of

the employee. The employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and suitable for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible for

the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory

protection program which shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (c) of this section.

1910.134(b)

Definitions.

The following definitions are important terms used

in the respiratory protection standard in this section. 

Air-purifying respirator means a respirator with an

air-purifying filter, cartridge, or canister that removes

specific air contaminants by passing ambient air

through the air-purifying element. 

Assigned protection factor (APF) means the workplace level of respiratory protection that a respirator

or class of respirators is expected to provide to employees when the employer implements a continuing, effective respiratory protection program as

specified by this section. 

Atmosphere-supplying respirator means a respirator

that supplies the respirator user with breathing air

from a source independent of the ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARs)

and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units. 

Canister or cartridge means a container with a filter,

sorbent, or catalyst, or combination of these items,

which removes specific contaminants from the air

passed through the container. 

Demand respirator means an atmosphere-supplying

respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece

only when a negative pressure is created inside the

facepiece by inhalation. 

Emergency situation means any occurrence such as,

but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that may or

does result in an uncontrolled significant release of

an airborne contaminant. 

Employee exposure means exposure to a concentration of an airborne contaminant that would occur if

the employee were not using respiratory protection. 

End-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) means a system

that warns the respirator user of the approach of the

end of adequate respiratory protection, for example,

that the sorbent is approaching saturation or is no

longer effective. 

Escape-only respirator means a respirator intended

to be used only for emergency exit. 

Filter or air purifying element means a component

used in respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols

from the inspired air. 

Filtering facepiece (dust mask) means a negative

pressure particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the facepiece or with the entire facepiece

composed of the filtering medium. 

Fit factor means a quantitative estimate of the fit of a

particular respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a

substance in ambient air to its concentration inside

the respirator when worn. 

Fit test means the use of a protocol to qualitatively

or quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an

individual. (See also Qualitative fit test QLFT and

Quantitative fit test QNFT.) 

Helmet means a rigid respiratory inlet covering that

also provides head protection against impact and

penetration. 
High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter means a

filter that is at least 99.97% efficient in removing

monodisperse particles of 0.3 micrometers in diameter. The equivalent NIOSH 42 CFR 84 particulate filters are the N100, R100, and P100 filters. 

Hood means a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the head and neck and may also cover

portions of the shoulders and torso. 

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH)

means an atmosphere that poses an immediate

threat to life, would cause irreversible adverse health

effects, or would impair an individual’s ability to escape from a dangerous atmosphere. 

Interior structural firefighting means the physical

activity of fire suppression, rescue or both, inside of

buildings or enclosed structures which are involved

in a fire situation beyond the incipient stage. (See 29

CFR 1910.155) 

Loose-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet

covering that is designed to form a partial seal with

the face. 

Maximum use concentration (MUC) means the maximum atmospheric concentration of a hazardous

substance from which an employee can be expected

to be protected when wearing a respirator, and is determined by the assigned protection factor of the respirator or class of respirators and the exposure limit

of the hazardous substance. The MUC can be determined mathematically by multiplying the assigned

protection factor specified for a respirator by the required OSHA permissible exposure limit, short-term

exposure limit, or ceiling limit. When no OSHA exposure limit is available for a hazardous substance, an

employer must determine an MUC on the basis of

relevant available information and informed professional judgment. 

Negative pressure respirator (tight fitting) means a

respirator in which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during inhalation with respect to

the ambient air pressure outside the respirator. 

Oxygen deficient atmosphere means an atmosphere

with an oxygen content below 19.5% by volume. 

Physician or other licensed healthcare professional

(PLHCP) means an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license, registration, or

certification) allows him or her to independently provide, or be delegated the responsibility to provide,

some or all of the healthcare services required by

paragraph (e) of this section. 

Positive pressure respirator means a respirator in

which the pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air pressure outside the respirator. 

Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) means an

air-purifying respirator that uses a blower to force

the ambient air through air-purifying elements to the

inlet covering. 

Pressure demand respirator means a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying respirator that admits

breathing air to the facepiece when the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation. 

Qualitative fit test (QLFT) means a pass/fail fit test to

assess the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on

the individual’s response to the test agent. 

Quantitative fit test (QNFT) means an assessment of

the adequacy of respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the respirator. 

Respiratory inlet covering means that portion of a

respirator that forms the protective barrier between

the user’s respiratory tract and an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both. It may be a

facepiece, helmet, hood, suit, or a mouthpiece respirator with nose clamp. 

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) means

an atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the

breathing air source is designed to be carried by the

user. 

Service life means the period of time that a respirator, filter or sorbent, or other respiratory equipment

provides adequate protection to the wearer. 

Supplied-air respirator (SAR) or airline respirator

means an atmosphere-supplying respirator for

which the source of breathing air is not designed to

be carried by the user.

This section means this Respiratory Protection standard. 

Tight-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that forms a complete seal with the face. 

User seal check means an action conducted by the

respirator user to determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face.

6 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(c)

Respiratory protection program.

This paragraph requires the employer to develop

and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and

elements for required respirator use. The program

must be administered by a suitably trained program

administrator. In addition, certain program elements

may be required for voluntary use to prevent potential hazards associated with the use of the respirator. 

Note: The Small Entity Compliance Guide

contains criteria for the selection of a program 

administrator and a sample program that meets

the requirements of this paragraph. 

1910.134(c)(1)

In any workplace where respirators are necessary to

protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer

shall establish and implement a written respiratory

protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The program shall be updated as necessary to

reflect those changes in workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall include in the

program the following provisions of this section, as

applicable:

1910.134(c)(1)(i)

Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the

workplace;

1910.134(c)(1)(ii)

Medical evaluations of employees required to use

respirators;

1910.134(c)(1)(iii)

Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;

1910.134(c)(1)(iv)

Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine

and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;

1910.134(c)(1)(v)

Procedures and schedules for cleaning, disinfecting,

storing, inspecting, repairing, discarding, and otherwise maintaining respirators;

1910.134(c)(1)(vi)

Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity,

and flow of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying

respirators;

1910.134(c)(1)(vii)

Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to

which they are potentially exposed during routine

and emergency situations;

1910.134(c)(1)(viii)

Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any

limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and

1910.134(c)(1)(ix)

Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness

of the program.

1910.134(c)(2)

Where respirator use is not required:

1910.134(c)(2)(i)

An employer may provide respirators at the request

of employees or permit employees to use their own

respirators, if the employer determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard. If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use

is permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the information contained in Appendix D to this section (“Information for Employees

Using Respirators When Not Required Under the

Standard”); and

1910.134(c)(2)(ii)

In addition, the employer must establish and implement those elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to ensure that any employee

using a respirator voluntarily is medically able to use

that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned,

stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard to the user. Exception: Employers

are not required to include in a written respiratory

protection program those employees whose only

use of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (dust masks).

1910.134(c)(3)

The employer shall designate a program administrator who is qualified by appropriate training or experience that is commensurate with the complexity of

the program to administer or oversee the respiratory

protection program and conduct the required evaluations of program effectiveness.

1910.134(c)(4)

The employer shall provide respirators, training, and

medical evaluations at no cost to the employee.

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

6 9
1910.134(d)

Selection of respirators.

This paragraph requires the employer to evaluate

respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify relevant workplace and user factors, and base respirator

selection on these factors. The paragraph also specifies appropriately protective respirators for use in

IDLH atmospheres, and limits the selection and use

of air-purifying respirators.

1910.134(d)(1

General requirements.

1910.134(d)(1)(i)

The employer shall select and provide an appropriate respirator based on the respiratory hazard(s) to

which the worker is exposed and workplace and user

factors that affect respirator performance and reliability.

1910.134(d)(1)(ii)

The employer shall select a NIOSH-certified respirator. The respirator shall be used in compliance with

the conditions of its certification.

1910.134(d)(1)(iii)

The employer shall identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace; this evaluation shall

include a reasonable estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s) and an identification of

the contaminant’s chemical state and physical form.

Where the employer cannot identify or reasonably

estimate the employee exposure, the employer shall

consider the atmosphere to be IDLH.

1910.134(d)(1)(iv)

The employer shall select respirators from a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes so that

the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits, the

user.

1910.134(d)(2)

Respirators for IDLH atmospheres.

1910.134(d)(2)(i)

The employer shall provide the following respirators

for employee use in IDLH atmospheres:

1910.134(d)(2)(i)(A)

A full facepiece pressure demand SCBA certified by

NIOSH for a minimum service life of thirty minutes,

or

1910.134(d)(2)(i)(B)

A combination full facepiece pressure demand supplied-air respirator (SAR) with auxiliary self-contained air supply.

1910.134(d)(2)(ii)

Respirators provided only for escape from IDLH atmospheres shall be NIOSH-certified for escape from

the atmosphere in which they will be used.

1910.134(d)(2)(iii)

All oxygen-deficient atmospheres shall be considered IDLH. Exception: If the employer demonstrates

that, under all foreseeable conditions, the oxygen

concentration can be maintained within the ranges

specified in Table II of this section (i.e., for the altitudes set out in the table), then any atmosphere-supplying respirator may be used.

1910.134(d)(3)

Respirators for atmospheres that are not IDLH.

1910.134(d)(3)(i)

The employer shall provide a respirator that is adequate to protect the health of the employee and ensure compliance with all other OSHA statutory and

regulatory requirements, under routine and reasonably foreseeable emergency situations.

1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A)

Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) Employers must

use the assigned protection factors listed in Table I to

select a respirator that meets or exceeds the required

level of employee protection. When using a combination respirator (e.g., airline respirators with an airpurifying filter), employers must ensure that the

assigned protection factor is appropriate to the mode

of operation in which the respirator is being used.

7 0

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)

Maximum Use Concentration (MUC)

1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)(1)

The employer must 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 MUC.

1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)(2)

Employers must not apply MUCs to conditions that

are immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH);

instead, they must use respirators listed for IDLH

conditions in paragraph (d)(2) of this standard.

1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B)(3)

When the calculated MUC exceeds the IDLH level for

a hazardous substance, or the performance limits of

the cartridge or canister, then employers must set

the maximum MUC at that lower limit.

1910.134(d)(3)(ii)

The respirator selected shall be appropriate for the

chemical state and physical form of the contaminant.

1910.134(d)(3)(iii)

For protection against gases and vapors, the employer shall provide:

1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(A)

An atmosphere-supplying respirator, or

1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)

An air-purifying respirator, provided that:

1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(1)

The respirator is equipped with an end-of-service-life

indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH for the contaminant; or

1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B)(2)

If there is no ESLI appropriate for conditions in the

employer’s workplace, the employer implements a

change schedule for canisters and cartridges that is

based on objective information or data that will ensure that canisters and cartridges are changed before

the end of their service life. The employer shall describe in the respirator program the information and

data relied upon and the basis for the canister and

Table I: Assigned Protection Factors5

Type of Respirator1, 2 Quarter Half Full Helmet/Hood Loose-fitting

mask mask facepiece facepiece

1. Air-Purifying Respirator 5 103 50 — —

2. Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) — 50 1,000 25/1,0004 25

3. Supplied-Air Respirator (SAR) 

or Airline Respirator

• Demand mode — 10 50 — —

• Continuous flow mode — 50 1,000 25/1,0004 25

• Pressure-demand or other — 50 1,000 — —

positive-pressure mode

4. Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) 

• Demand mode — 10 50 50 —

• Pressure-demand or other positive- — — 10,000 10,000 —

pressure mode (e.g., open/closed circuit)

Notes:

1 Employers may select respirators assigned for use in higher workplace concentrations of a hazardous substance for 

use at lower concentrations of that substance, or when required respirator use is independent of concentration.

2 The assigned protection factors in Table I are only effective when the employer implements a continuing, effective 

respirator program as required by this section (29 CFR 1910.134), including training, fit testing, maintenance, and use 

requirements.

3 This APF category includes filtering facepieces, and half masks with elastomeric facepieces.

4 The employer must have evidence provided by the respirator manufacturer that testing of these respirators demonstrates

performance at a level of protection of 1,000 or greater to receive an APF of 1,000. This level of performance can best be

demonstrated by performing a WPF or SWPF study or equivalent testing. Absent such testing, all other PAPRs and 

SARs with helmets/hoods are to be treated as loose-fitting facepiece respirators, and receive an APF of 25. 

5 These APFs do not apply to respirators used solely for escape. For escape respirators used in association with specific 

substances covered by 29 CFR 1910 subpart Z, employers must refer to the appropriate substance-specific standards in 

that subpart. Escape respirators for other IDLH atmospheres are specified by 29 CFR 1910.134(d)(2)(ii). 

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

7 1
cartridge change schedule and the basis for reliance

on the data.

1910.134(d)(3)(iv)

For protection against particulates, the employer

shall provide:

1910.134(d)(3)(iv)(A)

An atmosphere-supplying respirator; or

1910.134(d)(3)(iv)(B)

An air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified by NIOSH under 30 CFR part 11 as a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, or an air-purifying

respirator equipped with a filter certified for particulates by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84; or

1910.134(d)(3)(iv)(C)

For contaminants consisting primarily of particles

with mass median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD)

of at least 2 micrometers, an air-purifying respirator

equipped with any filter certified for particulates by

NIOSH.

1910.134(e)

Medical evaluation.

Using a respirator may place a physiological burden

on employees that varies with the type of respirator

worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the

respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee. Accordingly, this paragraph specifies the

minimum requirements for medical evaluation that

employers must implement to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator.

1910.134(e)(1)

General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a

respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the workplace. The

employer may discontinue an employee’s medical

evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a respirator.

1910.134(e)(2)

Medical evaluation procedures.

1910.134(e)(2)(i)

The employer shall 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.

1910.134(e)(2)(ii)

The medical evaluation shall obtain the information

requested by the questionnaire in Sections 1 and 2,

Part A of Appendix C of this section.

1910.134(e)(3)

Follow-up medical examination.

1910.134(e)(3)(i)

The employer shall ensure that a follow-up medical

examination is provided for an employee who gives

a positive response to any question among questions 1 through 8 in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C

or whose initial medical examination demonstrates

the need for a follow-up medical examination.

1910.134(e)(3)(ii)

The follow-up medical examination shall include any

medical tests, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems necessary to make a

final determination.

1910.134(e)(4)

Administration of the medical questionnaire and 

examinations.

1910.134(e)(4)(i)

The medical questionnaire and examinations shall

be administered confidentially during the employee’s

normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee. The medical questionnaire

shall be administered in a manner that ensures that

the employee understands its content.

1910.134(e)(4)(ii)

The employer shall provide the employee with an

opportunity to discuss the questionnaire and examination results with the PLHCP.

Table II: Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres

Altitude (ft.) Oxygen deficient atmospheres 

(% O2) for which the employer 

may rely on atmospheresupplying respirators

Less than 3,001 16.0-19.5

3,001-4,000 16.4-19.5

4,001-5,000 17.1-19.5

5,001-6,000 17.8-19.5

6,001-7,000 18.5-19.5

7,001-8,0001 19.3-19.5

1 Above 8,000 feet the exception does not apply. Oxygenenriched breathing air must be supplied above 14,000 feet.

7 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(e)(5)

Supplemental information for the PLHCP.

1910.134(e)(5)(i)

The following information must be provided to the

PLHCP before the PLHCP makes a recommendation

concerning an employee’s ability to use a respirator:

1910.134(e)(5)(i)(A)

(A) The type and weight of the respirator to be used

by the employee;

1910.134(e)(5)(i)(B)

The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for rescue and escape);

1910.134(e)(5)(i)(C)

The expected physical work effort;

1910.134(e)(5)(i)(D)

Additional protective clothing and equipment to be

worn; and

1910.134(e)(5)(i)(E)

Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered.

1910.134(e)(5)(ii)

Any supplemental information provided previously

to the PLHCP regarding an employee need not be

provided for a subsequent medical evaluation if the

information and the PLHCP remain the same.

1910.134(e)(5)(iii)

The employer shall provide the PLHCP with a copy of

the written respiratory protection program and a

copy of this section. 

Note to Paragraph (e)(5)(iii): When the employer replaces a PLHCP, the employer must ensure that the

new PLHCP obtains this information, either by providing the documents directly to the PLHCP or having the documents transferred from the former

PLHCP to the new PLHCP. However, OSHA does not

expect employers to have employees medically

reevaluated solely because a new PLHCP has been

selected.

1910.134(e)(6)

Medical determination. In determining the employee’s ability to use a respirator, the employer

shall:

1910.134(e)(6)(i)

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

The recommendation shall provide only the following information:

1910.134(e)(6)(i)(A)

Any limitations on respirator use related to the medical condition of the employee, or relating to the

workplace conditions in which the respirator will be

used, including whether or not the employee is medically able to use the respirator;

1910.134(e)(6)(i)(B)

The need, if any, for follow-up medical evaluations;

and

1910.134(e)(6)(i)(C)

A statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a copy of the PLHCP’s written recommendation.

1910.134(e)(6)(ii)

If the respirator is a negative pressure respirator and

the PLHCP finds a medical condition that may place

the employee’s health at increased risk if the respirator is used, the employer shall provide a PAPR if the

PLHCP’s medical evaluation finds that the employee

can use such a respirator; if a subsequent medical

evaluation finds that the employee is medically able

to use a negative pressure respirator, then the employer is no longer required to provide a PAPR.

1910.134(e)(7)

Additional medical evaluations. At a minimum, the

employer shall provide additional medical evaluations that comply with the requirements of this section if:

1910.134(e)(7)(i)

An employee reports medical signs or symptoms

that are related to ability to use a respirator;

1910.134(e)(7)(ii)

A PLHCP, supervisor, or the respirator program administrator informs the employer that an employee

needs to be reevaluated;

1910.134(e)(7)(iii)

Information from the respiratory protection program,

including observations made during fit testing and

program evaluation, indicates a need for employee

reevaluation; or

1910.134(e)(7)(iv)

A change occurs in workplace conditions (e.g., physical work effort, protective clothing, temperature) that

may result in a substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee.

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

7 3
1910.134(f)

Fit testing.

This paragraph requires that, before an employee

may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive pressure tight-fitting facepiece, the

employee must be fit tested with the same make,

model, style, and size of respirator that will be used.

This paragraph specifies the kinds of fit tests allowed, the procedures for conducting them, and how

the results of the fit tests must be used.

1910.134(f)(1)

The employer shall ensure that employees using a

tight-fitting facepiece respirator pass an appropriate

qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test

(QNFT) as stated in this paragraph.

1910.134(f)(2)

The employer shall ensure that an employee using a

tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to

initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used,

and at least annually thereafter.

1910.134(f)(3)

The employer shall conduct an additional fit test

whenever the employee reports, or the employer,

PLHCP, supervisor, or program administrator makes

visual observations of, changes in the employee’s

physical condition that could affect respirator fit.

Such conditions include, but are not limited to, facial

scarring, dental changes, cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight.

1910.134(f)(4)

If after passing a QLFT or QNFT, the employee subsequently notifies the employer, program administrator, supervisor, or PLHCP that the fit of the

respirator is unacceptable, the employee shall be

given a reasonable opportunity to select a different

respirator facepiece and to be retested.

1910.134(f)(5)

The fit test shall be administered using an OSHA-accepted QLFT or QNFT protocol. The OSHA-accepted

QLFT and QNFT protocols and procedures are contained in Appendix A of this section.

1910.134(f)(6)

QLFT may only be used to fit test negative pressure

air-purifying respirators that must achieve a fit factor

of 100 or less.

1910.134(f)(7)

If the fit factor, as determined through an OSHA-accepted QNFT protocol, is equal to or greater than 100

for tight-fitting half facepieces, or equal to or greater

than 500 for tight-fitting full facepieces, the QNFT has

been passed with that respirator.

1910.134(f)(8)

Fit testing of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators and tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators shall be accomplished by performing

quantitative or qualitative fit testing in the negative

pressure mode, regardless of the mode of operation

(negative or positive pressure) that is used for respiratory protection.

1910.134(f)(8)(i)

Qualitative fit testing of these respirators shall be

accomplished by temporarily converting the respirator user’s actual facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with appropriate filters, or by using

an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator facepiece with the same sealing surfaces as a surrogate for the atmosphere-supplying or powered

air-purifying respirator facepiece.

1910.134(f)(8)(ii)

Quantitative fit testing of these respirators shall be

accomplished by modifying the facepiece to allow

sampling inside the facepiece in the breathing zone

of the user, midway between the nose and mouth.

This requirement shall be accomplished by installing

a permanent sampling probe onto a surrogate facepiece, or by using a sampling adapter designed to

temporarily provide a means of sampling air from inside the facepiece.

1910.134(f)(8)(iii)

Any modifications to the respirator facepiece for fit

testing shall be completely removed, and the facepiece restored to NIOSH-approved configuration, before that facepiece can be used in the workplace.

1910.134(g)

Use of respirators.

This paragraph requires employers to establish and

implement procedures for the proper use of respirators. These requirements include prohibiting conditions that may result in facepiece seal leakage,

preventing employees from removing respirators in

hazardous environments, taking actions to ensure

continued effective respirator operation throughout

the work shift, and establishing procedures for the

use of respirators in IDLH atmospheres or in interior

structural firefighting situations.

1910.134(g)(1)

Facepiece seal protection.

1910.134(g)(1)(i)

The employer shall not permit respirators with tightfitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have:

7 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A)

Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of

the facepiece and the face or that interferes with

valve function; or

1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B)

Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.

1910.134(g)(1)(ii)

If an employee wears corrective glasses or goggles

or other personal protective equipment, the employer shall ensure that such equipment is worn in a

manner that does not interfere with the seal of the

facepiece to the face of the user.

1910.134(g)(1)(iii)

For all tight-fitting respirators, the employer shall ensure that employees perform a user seal check each

time they put on the respirator using the procedures

in Appendix B-1 or procedures recommended by the

respirator manufacturer that the employer demonstrates are as effective as those in Appendix B-1 of

this section.

1910.134(g)(2)

Continuing respirator effectiveness.

1910.134(g)(2)(i)

Appropriate surveillance shall be maintained of work

area conditions and degree of employee exposure or

stress. When there is a change in work area conditions or degree of employee exposure or stress that

may affect respirator effectiveness, the employer

shall reevaluate the continued effectiveness of the

respirator.

1910.134(g)(2)(ii)

The employer shall ensure that employees leave the

respirator use area:

1910.134(g)(2)(ii)(A)

To wash their faces and respirator facepieces as necessary to prevent eye or skin irritation associated

with respirator use; or

1910.134(g)(2)(ii)(B)

If they detect vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in

breathing resistance, or leakage of the facepiece; or

1910.134(g)(2)(ii)(C)

To replace the respirator or the filter, cartridge, or

canister elements.

1910.134(g)(2)(iii)

If the employee detects vapor or gas breakthrough,

changes in breathing resistance, or leakage of the

facepiece, the employer must replace or repair the

respirator before allowing the employee to return to

the work area.

1910.134(g)(3)

Procedures for IDLH atmospheres. For all IDLH atmospheres, the employer shall ensure that:

1910.134(g)(3)(i)

One employee or, when needed, more than one employee is located outside the IDLH atmosphere;

1910.134(g)(3)(ii)

Visual, voice, or signal line communication is maintained between the employee(s) in the IDLH atmosphere and the employee(s) located outside the IDLH

atmosphere;

1910.134(g)(3)(iii)

The employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere are trained and equipped to provide effective

emergency rescue;

1910.134(g)(3)(iv)

The employer or designee is notified before the employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere enter

the IDLH atmosphere to provide emergency rescue;

1910.134(g)(3)(v)

The employer or designee authorized to do so by the

employer, once notified, provides necessary assistance appropriate to the situation;

1910.134(g)(3)(vi)

Employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmospheres

are equipped with:

1910.134(g)(3)(vi)(A)

Pressure demand or other positive pressure SCBAs,

or a pressure demand or other positive pressure supplied-air respirator with auxiliary SCBA; and either

1910.134(g)(3)(vi)(B)

Appropriate retrieval equipment for removing the

employee(s) who enter(s) these hazardous atmospheres where retrieval equipment would contribute

to the rescue of the employee(s) and would not increase the overall risk resulting from entry; or

1910.134(g)(3)(vi)(C)

Equivalent means for rescue where retrieval equipment is not required under paragraph (g)(3)(vi)(B).

1910.134(g)(4)

Procedures for interior structural firefighting. In addition to the requirements set forth under paragraph

(g)(3), in interior structural fires, the employer shall

ensure that:

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

7 5
1910.134(g)(4)(i)

At least two employees enter the IDLH atmosphere

and remain in visual or voice contact with one another at all times;

1910.134(g)(4)(ii)

At least two employees are located outside the IDLH

atmosphere; and

1910.134(g)(4)(iii)

All employees engaged in interior structural firefighting use SCBAs. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g): One of the two individuals

located outside the IDLH atmosphere may be assigned to an additional role, such as incident commander in charge of the emergency or safety officer,

so long as this individual is able to perform assistance or rescue activities without jeopardizing the

safety or health of any firefighter working at the incident. 

Note 2 to paragraph (g): Nothing in this section is

meant to preclude firefighters from performing

emergency rescue activities before an entire team

has assembled.

1910.134(h)

Maintenance and care of respirators.

This paragraph requires the employer to provide for

the cleaning and disinfecting, storage, inspection,

and repair of respirators used by employees.

1910.134(h)(1)

Cleaning and disinfecting. The employer shall provide each respirator user with a respirator that is

clean, sanitary, and in good working order. The employer shall ensure that respirators are cleaned and

disinfected using the procedures in Appendix B-2 of

this section, or procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer, provided that such procedures

are of equivalent effectiveness. The respirators shall

be cleaned and disinfected at the following intervals:

1910.134(h)(1)(i)

Respirators issued for the exclusive use of an employee shall be cleaned and disinfected as often as

necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition;

1910.134(h)(1)(ii)

Respirators issued to more than one employee shall

be cleaned and disinfected before being worn by different individuals;

1910.134(h)(1)(iii)

Respirators maintained for emergency use shall be

cleaned and disinfected after each use; and

1910.134(h)(1)(iv)

Respirators used in fit testing and training shall be

cleaned and disinfected after each use.

1910.134(h)(2)

Storage. The employer shall ensure that respirators

are stored as follows:

1910.134(h)(2)(i)

All respirators shall be stored to protect them from

damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals, and they shall be packed or stored to prevent

deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve.

1910.134(h)(2)(ii)

In addition to the requirements of paragraph (h)(2)(i)

of this section, emergency respirators shall be:

1910.134(h)(2)(ii)(A)

Kept accessible to the work area;

1910.134(h)(2)(ii)(B)

Stored in compartments or in covers that are clearly

marked as containing emergency respirators; and

1910.134(h)(2)(ii)(C)

Stored in accordance with any applicable manufacturer instructions.

1910.134(h)(3)

Inspection.

1910.134(h)(3)(i)

The employer shall ensure that respirators are inspected as follows:

1910.134(h)(3)(i)(A)

All respirators used in routine situations shall be inspected before each use and during cleaning;

1910.134(h)(3)(i)(B)

All respirators maintained for use in emergency situations shall be inspected at least monthly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations,

and shall be checked for proper function before and

after each use; and

1910.134(h)(3)(i)(C)

Emergency escape-only respirators shall be inspected before being carried into the workplace for

use.

1910.134(h)(3)(ii)

The employer shall ensure that respirator inspections include the following:

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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(h)(3)(ii)(A)

A check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and the condition of the various parts including, but not limited to, the facepiece, head straps,

valves, connecting tube, and cartridges, canisters or

filters; and

1910.134(h)(3)(ii)(B)

A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs

of deterioration.

1910.134(h)(3)(iii)

In addition to the requirements of paragraphs

(h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section, self-contained breathing apparatus shall be inspected monthly. Air and

oxygen cylinders shall be maintained in a fully

charged state and shall be recharged when the pressure falls to 90% of the manufacturer’s recommended pressure level. The employer shall

determine that the regulator and warning devices

function properly.

1910.134(h)(3)(iv)

For respirators maintained for emergency use, the

employer shall:

1910.134(h)(3)(iv)(A)

Certify the respirator by documenting the date the inspection was performed, the name (or signature) of

the person who made the inspection, the findings,

required remedial action, and a serial number or

other means of identifying the inspected respirator;

and

1910.134(h)(3)(iv)(B)

Provide this information on a tag or label that is attached to the storage compartment for the respirator,

is kept with the respirator, or is included in inspection reports stored as paper or electronic files. This

information shall be maintained until replaced following a subsequent certification.

1910.134(h)(4)

Repairs. The employer shall ensure that respirators

that fail an inspection or are otherwise found to be

defective are removed from service, and are discarded or repaired or adjusted in accordance with

the following procedures:

1910.134(h)(4)(i)

Repairs or adjustments to respirators are to be made

only by persons appropriately trained to perform

such operations and shall use only the respirator

manufacturer’s NIOSH-approved parts designed for

the respirator;

1910.134(h)(4)(ii)

Repairs shall be made according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and specifications for the

type and extent of repairs to be performed; and

1910.134(h)(4)(iii)

Reducing and admission valves, regulators, and

alarms shall be adjusted or repaired only by the

manufacturer or a technician trained by the manufacturer.

1910.134(i)

Breathing air quality and use.

This paragraph requires the employer to provide

employees using atmosphere-supplying respirators

(supplied-air and SCBA) with breathing gases of high

purity.

1910.134(i)(1)

The employer shall ensure that compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used

for respiration accords with the following specifications:

1910.134(i)(1)(i)

Compressed and liquid oxygen shall meet the United

States Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical or

breathing oxygen; and

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)

Compressed breathing air shall meet at least the requirements for Grade D breathing air described in

ANSI/Compressed Gas Association Commodity

Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989, to include:

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(A)

Oxygen content (v/v) of 19.5-23.5%;

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(B)

Hydrocarbon (condensed) content of 5 milligrams

per cubic meter of air or less;

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(C)

Carbon monoxide (CO) content of 10 ppm or less;

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(D)

Carbon dioxide content of 1,000 ppm or less; and

1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(E)

Lack of noticeable odor.

1910.134(i)(2)

The employer shall ensure that compressed oxygen

is not used in atmosphere-supplying respirators that

have previously used compressed air.

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1910.134(i)(3)

The employer shall ensure that oxygen concentrations greater than 23.5% are used only in equipment

designed for oxygen service or distribution.

1910.134(i)(4)

The employer shall ensure that cylinders used to

supply breathing air to respirators meet the following requirements:

1910.134(i)(4)(i)

Cylinders are tested and maintained as prescribed in

the Shipping Container Specification Regulations of

the Department of Transportation (49 CFR part 173

and part 178);

1910.134(i)(4)(ii)

Cylinders of purchased breathing air have a certificate of analysis from the supplier that the breathing

air meets the requirements for Grade D breathing air;

and

1910.134(i)(4)(iii)

The moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed

a dew point of -50 deg.F (-45.6 deg.C) at 1 atmosphere pressure.

1910.134(i)(5)

The employer shall ensure that compressors used to

supply breathing air to respirators are constructed

and situated so as to:

1910.134(i)(5)(i)

Prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply

system;

1910.134(i)(5)(ii)

Minimize moisture content so that the dew point at 1

atmosphere pressure is 10 degrees F (5.56 deg.C)

below the ambient temperature;

1910.134(i)(5)(iii)

Have suitable in-line air-purifying sorbent beds and

filters to further ensure breathing air quality. Sorbent

beds and filters shall be maintained and replaced or

refurbished periodically following the manufacturer’s

instructions.

1910.134(i)(5)(iv)

Have a tag containing the most recent change date

and the signature of the person authorized by the

employer to perform the change. The tag shall be

maintained at the compressor.

1910.134(i)(6)

For compressors that are not oil-lubricated, the employer shall ensure that carbon monoxide levels in

the breathing air do not exceed 10 ppm.

1910.134(i)(7)

For oil-lubricated compressors, the employer shall

use a high-temperature or carbon monoxide alarm,

or both, to monitor carbon monoxide levels. If only

high-temperature alarms are used, the air supply

shall be monitored at intervals sufficient to prevent

carbon monoxide in the breathing air from exceeding 10 ppm.

1910.134(i)(8)

The employer shall ensure that breathing air couplings are incompatible with outlets for nonrespirable worksite air or other gas systems. No

asphyxiating substance shall be introduced into

breathing air lines.

1910.134(i)(9)

The employer shall use breathing gas containers

marked in accordance with the NIOSH respirator certification standard, 42 CFR part 84.

1910.134(j)

Identification of filters, cartridges, and

canisters. 

The employer shall ensure that all filters, cartridges

and canisters used in the workplace are labeled and

color coded with the NIOSH approval label and that

the label is not removed and remains legible.

1910.134(k)

Training and information.

This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to

use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more

often if necessary. This paragraph also requires the

employer to provide the basic information on respirators in Appendix D of this section to employees

who wear respirators when not required by this section or by the employer to do so.

1910.134(k)(1)

The employer shall ensure that each employee can

demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:

1910.134(k)(1)(i)

Why the respirator is necessary and how improper

fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;

1910.134(k)(1)(ii)

What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator

are;

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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
1910.134(k)(1)(iii)

How to use the respirator effectively in emergency

situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;

1910.134(k)(1)(iv)

How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check

the seals of the respirator;

1910.134(k)(1)(v)

What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;

1910.134(k)(1)(vi)

How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that

may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators;

and

1910.134(k)(1)(vii)

The general requirements of this section.

1910.134(k)(2)

The training shall be conducted in a manner that is

understandable to the employee.

1910.134(k)(3)

The employer shall provide the training prior to requiring the employee to use a respirator in the workplace.

1910.134(k)(4)

An employer who is able to demonstrate that a new

employee has received training within the last 12

months that addresses the elements specified in

paragraph (k)(1)(i) through (vii) is not required to

repeat such training provided that, as required by

paragraph (k)(1), the employee can demonstrate

knowledge of those element(s). Previous training not

repeated initially by the employer must be provided

no later than 12 months from the date of the previous training.

1910.134(k)(5)

Retraining shall be administered annually, and when

the following situations occur:

1910.134(k)(5)(i)

Changes in the workplace or the type of respirator

render previous training obsolete;

1910.134(k)(5)(ii)

Inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use of

the respirator indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill; or

1910.134(k)(5)(iii)

Any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use.

1910.134(k)(6)

The basic advisory information on respirators, as

presented in Appendix D of this section, shall be provided by the employer in any written or oral format,

to employees who wear respirators when such use is

not required by this section or by the employer.

1910.134(l)

Program evaluation.

This section requires the employer to conduct evaluations of the workplace to ensure that the written

respiratory protection program is being properly implemented, and to consult employees to ensure that

they are using the respirators properly.

1910.134(l)(1)

The employer shall conduct evaluations of the workplace as necessary to ensure that the provisions of

the current written program are being effectively implemented and that it continues to be effective.

1910.134(l)(2)

The employer shall regularly consult employees required to use respirators to assess the employees’

views on program effectiveness and to identify any

problems. Any problems that are identified during

this assessment shall be corrected. Factors to be assessed include, but are not limited to:

1910.134(l)(2)(i)

Respirator fit (including the ability to use the respirator without interfering with effective workplace performance);

1910.134(l)(2)(ii)

Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards to

which the employee is exposed;

1910.134(l)(2)(iii)

Proper respirator use under the workplace conditions

the employee encounters; and

1910.134(l)(2)(iv)

Proper respirator maintenance.

1910.134(m)

Recordkeeping.

This section requires the employer to establish and

retain written information regarding medical evaluations, fit testing, and the respirator program. This inS M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

7 9
formation will facilitate employee involvement in the

respirator program, assist the employer in auditing

the adequacy of the program, and provide a record

for compliance determinations by OSHA.

1910.134(m)(1)

Medical evaluation. Records of medical evaluations

required by this section must be retained and made

available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.

1910.134(m)(2)

Fit testing.

1910.134(m)(2)(i)

The employer shall establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee including:

1910.134(m)(2)(i)(A)

The name or identification of the employee tested;

1910.134(m)(2)(i)(B)

Type of fit test performed;

1910.134(m)(2)(i)(C)

Specific make, model, style, and size of respirator

tested;

1910.134(m)(2)(i)(D)

Date of test; and

1910.134(m)(2)(i)(E)

The pass/fail results for QLFTs or the fit factor and

strip chart recording or other recording of the test results for QNFTs.

1910.134(m)(2)(ii)

Fit test records shall be retained for respirator users

until the next fit test is administered.

1910.134(m)(3)

A written copy of the current respirator program

shall be retained by the employer.

1910.134(m)(4)

Written materials required to be retained under this

paragraph shall be made available upon request to

affected employees and to the Assistant Secretary or

designee for examination and copying.

1910.134(n)

Effective date.

Paragraphs (d)(3)(i)(A) and (d)(3)(i)(B) of this section

become effective November 22, 2006.

1910.134(o)

Appendices.

1910.134(o)(1)

Compliance with Appendix A, Appendix B-1, Appendix B-2, and Appendix C of this section is mandatory.

1910.134(o)(2)

Appendix D of this section is non-mandatory and is

not intended to create any additional obligations not

otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing

obligations. 

[63 FR 1152, Jan. 8, 1998; 63 FR 20098, April 23, 1998;

71 FR 16672, April 3, 2006; 71 FR 50187, August 24,

2006]

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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Appendix A to §1910.134: 

Fit Testing Procedures (Mandatory)

Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols 

A. Fit Testing Procedures -- General Requirements 

The employer shall conduct fit testing using the following procedures. The requirements in this appendix apply to all OSHA-accepted fit test methods, both

QLFT and QNFT. 

1. The test subject shall be allowed to pick the most

acceptable respirator from a sufficient number of

respirator models and sizes so that the respirator is

acceptable to, and correctly fits, the user. 

2. Prior to the selection process, the test subject shall

be shown how to put on a respirator, how it should

be positioned on the face, how to set strap tension

and how to determine an acceptable fit. A mirror

shall be available to assist the subject in evaluating

the fit and positioning of the respirator. This instruction may not constitute the subject’s formal training

on respirator use, because it is only a review. 

3. The test subject shall be informed that he/she is

being asked to select the respirator that provides the

most acceptable fit. Each respirator represents a different size and shape, and if fitted and used properly,

will provide adequate protection. 

4. The test subject shall be instructed to hold each

chosen facepiece up to the face and eliminate those

that obviously do not give an acceptable fit. 

5. The more acceptable facepieces are noted in case

the one selected proves unacceptable; the most

comfortable mask is donned and worn at least five

minutes to assess comfort. Assistance in assessing

comfort can be given by discussing the points in the

following item A.6. If the test subject is not familiar

with using a particular respirator, the test subject

shall be directed to don the mask several times and

to adjust the straps each time to become adept at

setting proper tension on the straps. 

6. Assessment of comfort shall include a review of

the following points with the test subject and allowing the test subject adequate time to determine the

comfort of the respirator:

(a) Position of the mask on the nose 

(b) Room for eye protection 

(c) Room to talk 

(d) Position of mask on face and cheeks

7. The following criteria shall be used to help determine the adequacy of the respirator fit:

(a) Chin properly placed; 

(b) Adequate strap tension, not overly tightened; 

(c) Fit across nose bridge; 

(d) Respirator of proper size to span distance from

nose to chin; 

(e) Tendency of respirator to slip; 

(f) Self-observation in mirror to evaluate fit and

respirator position.

8. The test subject shall conduct a user seal check, either the negative and positive pressure seal checks

described in Appendix B-1 of this section or those

recommended by the respirator manufacturer which

provide equivalent protection to the procedures in

Appendix B-1. Before conducting the negative and

positive pressure checks, the subject shall be told to

seat the mask on the face by moving the head from

side-to-side and up and down slowly while taking in

a few slow deep breaths. Another facepiece shall be

selected and retested if the test subject fails the user

seal check tests. 

9. The test shall not be conducted if there is any hair

growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing

surface, such as stubble beard growth, beard, mustache or sideburns which cross the respirator sealing

surface. Any type of apparel which interferes with a

satisfactory fit shall be altered or removed. 

10. If a test subject exhibits difficulty in breathing

during the tests, she or he shall be referred to a

physician or other licensed health care professional,

as appropriate, to determine whether the test subject

can wear a respirator while performing her or his duties. 

11. If the employee finds the fit of the respirator unacceptable, the test subject shall be given the opportunity to select a different respirator and to be

retested. 

12. Exercise regimen. Prior to the commencement of

the fit test, the test subject shall be given a description of the fit test and the test subject’s responsibilities during the test procedure. The description of the

process shall include a description of the test exercises that the subject will be performing. The respirator to be tested shall be worn for at least 5 minutes

before the start of the fit test. 

13. The fit test shall be performed while the test subject is wearing any applicable safety equipment that

may be worn during actual respirator use which

could interfere with respirator fit. 

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

8 1
14. Test Exercises.

(a) Employers must perform the following test exercises for all fit testing methods prescribed in this

appendix, except for the CNP quantitative fit testing protocol and the CNP REDON quantitative fit

testing protocol. For these two protocols, employers must ensure that the test subjects (i.e., employees) perform the exercise procedure specified

in Part I.C.4(b) of this appendix for the CNP quantitative fit testing protocol, or the exercise procedure described in Part I.C.5(b) of this appendix for

the CNP REDON quantitative fit-testing protocol.

For the remaining fit testing methods, employers

must ensure that employees perform the test exercises in the appropriate test environment in the

following manner:

(1) Normal breathing. In a normal standing position, without talking, the subject shall breathe

normally. 

(2) Deep breathing. In a normal standing position, the subject shall breathe slowly and

deeply, taking caution so as not to hyperventilate. 

(3) Turning head side to side. Standing in place,

the subject shall slowly turn his/her head from

side to side between the extreme positions on

each side. The head shall be held at each extreme momentarily so the subject can inhale at

each side. 

(4) Moving head up and down. Standing in

place, the subject shall slowly move his/her

head up and down. The subject shall be instructed to inhale in the up position (i.e., when

looking toward the ceiling). 

(5) Talking. The subject shall talk out loud slowly

and loud enough so as to be heard clearly by

the test conductor. The subject can read from a

prepared text such as the Rainbow Passage,

count backward from 100, or recite a memorized

poem or song. 

Rainbow Passage 

When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air,

they act like a prism and form a rainbow. The

rainbow is a division of white light into many

beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long

round arch, with its path high above, and its two

ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is,

according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one

end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When

a man looks for something beyond reach, his

friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at

the end of the rainbow. 

(6) Grimace. The test subject shall grimace by

smiling or frowning. (This applies only to QNFT

testing; it is not performed for QLFT) 

(7) Bending over. The test subject shall bend at

the waist as if he/she were to touch his/her toes.

Jogging in place shall be substituted for this exercise in those test environments such as

shroud type QNFT or QLFT units that do not permit bending over at the waist. 

(8) Normal breathing. Same as exercise (1).

(b) Each test exercise shall be performed for one

minute except for the grimace exercise which shall

be performed for 15 seconds. The test subject

shall be questioned by the test conductor regarding the comfort of the respirator upon completion

of the protocol. If it has become unacceptable, another model of respirator shall be tried. The respirator shall not be adjusted once the fit test

exercises begin. Any adjustment voids the test,

and the fit test must be repeated.

B. Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) Protocols 

1. General

(a) The employer shall ensure that persons administering QLFT are able to prepare test solutions,

calibrate equipment and perform tests properly,

recognize invalid tests, and ensure that test equipment is in proper working order. 

(b) The employer shall ensure that QLFT equipment is kept clean and well maintained so as to

operate within the parameters for which it was designed.

2. Isoamyl Acetate Protocol 

Note: This protocol is not appropriate to use for the

fit testing of particulate respirators. If used to fit test

particulate respirators, the respirator must be

equipped with an organic vapor filter.

(a) Odor Threshold Screening 

Odor threshold screening, performed without

wearing a respirator, is intended to determine if

the individual tested can detect the odor of

isoamyl acetate at low levels.

(1) Three 1 liter glass jars with metal lids are

required. 

8 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
(2) Odor-free water (e.g., distilled or spring

water) at approximately 25 deg. C (77 deg. F)

shall be used for the solutions. 

(3) The isoamyl acetate (IAA) (also known a3

isopentyl acetate) stock solution is prepared by

adding 1 ml of pure IAA to 800 ml of odor-free

water in a 1 liter jar, closing the lid and shaking

for 30 seconds. A new solution shall be prepared at least weekly. 

(4) The screening test shall be conducted in a

room separate from the room used for actual fit

testing. The two rooms shall be well-ventilated

to prevent the odor of IAA from becoming evident in the general room air where testing takes

place. 

(5) The odor test solution is prepared in a second jar by placing 0.4 ml of the stock solution

into 500 ml of odor-free water using a clean

dropper or pipette. The solution shall be shaken

for 30 seconds and allowed to stand for two to

three minutes so that the IAA concentration

above the liquid may reach equilibrium. This solution shall be used for only one day. 

(6) A test blank shall be prepared in a third jar by

adding 500 cc of odor-free water. 

(7) The odor test and test blank jar lids shall be

labeled (e.g., 1 and 2) for jar identification. Labels shall be placed on the lids so that they can

be peeled off periodically and switched to maintain the integrity of the test. 

(8) The following instruction shall be typed on a

card and placed on the table in front of the two

test jars (i.e., 1 and 2): “The purpose of this test

is to determine if you can smell banana oil at a

low concentration. The two bottles in front of

you contain water. One of these bottles also

contains a small amount of banana oil. Be sure

the covers are on tight, then shake each bottle

for two seconds. Unscrew the lid of each bottle,

one at a time, and sniff at the mouth of the bottle. Indicate to the test conductor which bottle

contains banana oil.” 

(9) The mixtures used in the IAA odor detection

test shall be prepared in an area separate from

where the test is performed, in order to prevent

olfactory fatigue in the subject. 

(10) If the test subject is unable to correctly identify the jar containing the odor test solution, the

IAA qualitative fit test shall not be performed. 

(11) If the test subject correctly identifies the jar

containing the odor test solution, the test subject may proceed to respirator selection and fit

testing.

(b) Isoamyl Acetate Fit Test

(1) The fit test chamber shall be a clear 55-gallon

drum liner suspended inverted over a 2-foot diameter frame so that the top of the chamber is

about 6 inches above the test subject’s head. If

no drum liner is available, a similar chamber

shall be constructed using plastic sheeting. The

inside top center of the chamber shall have a

small hook attached. 

(2) Each respirator used for the fitting and fit

testing shall be equipped with organic vapor

cartridges or offer protection against organic vapors. 

(3) After selecting, donning, and properly adjusting a respirator, the test subject shall wear it to

the fit testing room. This room shall be separate

from the room used for odor threshold screening and respirator selection, and shall be wellventilated, as by an exhaust fan or lab hood, to

prevent general room contamination. 

(4) A copy of the test exercises and any prepared text from which the subject is to read

shall be taped to the inside of the test chamber. 

(5) Upon entering the test chamber, the test subject shall be given a 6-inch by 5-inch piece of

paper towel, or other porous, absorbent, singleply material, folded in half and wetted with 0.75

ml of pure IAA. The test subject shall hang the

wet towel on the hook at the top of the chamber.

An IAA test swab or ampule may be substituted

for the IAA wetted paper towel provided it has

been demonstrated that the alternative IAA

source will generate an IAA test atmosphere

with a concentration equivalent to that generated by the paper towel method. 

(6) Allow two minutes for the IAA test concentration to stabilize before starting the fit test exercises. This would be an appropriate time to

talk with the test subject; to explain the fit test,

the importance of his/her cooperation, and the

purpose for the test exercises; or to demonstrate some of the exercises. 

(7) If at any time during the test, the subject detects the banana-like odor of IAA, the test is

failed. The subject shall quickly exit from the

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

8 3
test chamber and leave the test area to avoid olfactory fatigue. 

(8) If the test is failed, the subject shall return to

the selection room and remove the respirator.

The test subject shall repeat the odor sensitivity

test, select and put on another respirator, return

to the test area and again begin the fit test procedure described in (b) (1) through (7) above.

The process continues until a respirator that fits

well has been found. Should the odor sensitivity

test be failed, the subject shall wait at least 5

minutes before retesting. Odor sensitivity will

usually have returned by this time. 

(9) If the subject passes the test, the efficiency of

the test procedure shall be demonstrated by

having the subject break the respirator face seal

and take a breath before exiting the chamber. 

(10) When the test subject leaves the chamber,

the subject shall remove the saturated towel

and return it to the person conducting the test,

so that there is no significant IAA concentration

buildup in the chamber during subsequent

tests. The used towels shall be kept in a selfsealing plastic bag to keep the test area from

being contaminated.

3. Saccharin Solution Aerosol Protocol 

The entire screening and testing procedure shall be

explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of

the screening test.

(a) Taste threshold screening. The saccharin taste

threshold screening, performed without wearing a

respirator, is intended to determine whether the

individual being tested can detect the taste of saccharin.

(1) During threshold screening as well as during

fit testing, subjects shall wear an enclosure

about the head and shoulders that is approximately 12 inches in diameter by 14 inches tall

with at least the front portion clear and that allows free movements of the head when a respirator is worn. An enclosure substantially similar

to the 3M hood assembly, parts # FT 14 and # FT

15 combined, is adequate. 

(2) The test enclosure shall have a 3/4-inch (1.9

cm) hole in front of the test subject’s nose and

mouth area to accommodate the nebulizer nozzle.

(3) The test subject shall don the test enclosure.

Throughout the threshold screening test, the

test subject shall breathe through his/her

slightly open mouth with tongue extended. The

subject is instructed to report when he/she detects a sweet taste. 

(4) Using a DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer or equivalent, the test conductor shall spray the threshold check solution into

the enclosure. The nozzle is directed away from

the nose and mouth of the person. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it

from the fit test solution nebulizer. 

(5) The threshold check solution is prepared by

dissolving 0.83 gram of sodium saccharin USP

in 100 ml of warm water. It can be prepared by

putting 1 ml of the fit test solution (see (b)(5)

below) in 100 ml of distilled water. 

(6) To produce the aerosol, the nebulizer bulb is

firmly squeezed so that it collapses completely,

then released and allowed to fully expand. 

(7) Ten squeezes are repeated rapidly and then

the test subject is asked whether the saccharin

can be tasted. If the test subject reports tasting

the sweet taste during the ten squeezes, the

screening test is completed. The taste threshold

is noted as ten regardless of the number of

squeezes actually completed. 

(8) If the first response is negative, ten more

squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the saccharin is

tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the

sweet taste during the second ten squeezes, the

screening test is completed. The taste threshold

is noted as twenty regardless of the number of

squeezes actually completed. 

(9) If the second response is negative, ten more

squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the saccharin is

tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the

sweet taste during the third set of ten squeezes,

the screening test is completed. The taste

threshold is noted as thirty regardless of the

number of squeezes actually completed. 

(10) The test conductor will take note of the

number of squeezes required to solicit a taste

response. 

(11) If the saccharin is not tasted after 30

squeezes (step 10), the test subject is unable to

taste saccharin and may not perform the saccharin fit test. 

8 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Note to paragraph 3. (a): If the test subject eats

or drinks something sweet before the screening

test, he/she may be unable to taste the weak

saccharin solution. 

(12) If a taste response is elicited, the test subject shall be asked to take note of the taste for

reference in the fit test. 

(13) Correct use of the nebulizer means that approximately 1 ml of liquid is used at a time in

the nebulizer body. 

(14) The nebulizer shall be thoroughly rinsed in

water, shaken dry, and refilled at least each

morning and afternoon or at least every four

hours.

(b) Saccharin solution aerosol fit test procedure.

(1) The test subject may not eat, drink (except

plain water), smoke, or chew gum for 15 minutes before the test. 

(2) The fit test uses the same enclosure described in 3. (a) above. 

(3) The test subject shall don the enclosure

while wearing the respirator selected in section

I. A. of this appendix. The respirator shall be

properly adjusted and equipped with a particulate filter(s). 

(4) A second DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation

Medication Nebulizer or equivalent is used to

spray the fit test solution into the enclosure.

This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it from the screening test solution nebulizer. 

(5) The fit test solution is prepared by adding 83

grams of sodium saccharin to 100 ml of warm

water. 

(6) As before, the test subject shall breathe

through the slightly open mouth with tongue

extended, and report if he/she tastes the sweet

taste of saccharin. 

(7) The nebulizer is inserted into the hole in the

front of the enclosure and an initial concentration of saccharin fit test solution is sprayed into

the enclosure using the same number of

squeezes (either 10, 20 or 30 squeezes) based on

the number of squeezes required to elicit a taste

response as noted during the screening test. A

minimum of 10 squeezes is required. 

(8) After generating the aerosol, the test subject

shall be instructed to perform the exercises in

section I. A. 14. of this appendix. 

(9) Every 30 seconds the aerosol concentration

shall be replenished using one half the original

number of squeezes used initially (e.g., 5, 10 or

15). 

(10) The test subject shall indicate to the test

conductor if at any time during the fit test the

taste of saccharin is detected. If the test subject

does not report tasting the saccharin, the test is

passed. 

(11) If the taste of saccharin is detected, the fit is

deemed unsatisfactory and the test is failed. A

different respirator shall be tried and the entire

test procedure is repeated (taste threshold

screening and fit testing). 

(12) Since the nebulizer has a tendency to clog

during use, the test operator must make periodic checks of the nebulizer to ensure that it is

not clogged. If clogging is found at the end of

the test session, the test is invalid.

4. BitrexTM (Denatonium Benzoate) Solution Aerosol

Qualitative Fit Test Protocol 

The BitrexTM (Denatonium benzoate) solution

aerosol QLFT protocol uses the published saccharin

test protocol because that protocol is widely accepted. Bitrex is routinely used as a taste aversion

agent in household liquids which children should not

be drinking and is endorsed by the American Medical Association, the National Safety Council, and the

American Association of Poison Control Centers. The

entire screening and testing procedure shall be explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the

screening test.

(a) Taste Threshold Screening. 

The Bitrex taste threshold screening, performed

without wearing a respirator, is intended to determine whether the individual being tested can detect the taste of Bitrex.

(1) During threshold screening as well as during

fit testing, subjects shall wear an enclosure

about the head and shoulders that is approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter by 14

inches (35.6 cm) tall. The front portion of the enclosure shall be clear from the respirator and

allow free movement of the head when a respirator is worn. An enclosure substantially similar

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

8 5
to the 3M hood assembly, parts # FT 14 and # FT

15 combined, is adequate. 

(2) The test enclosure shall have a 3/4 inch (1.9

cm) hole in front of the test subject’s nose and

mouth area to accommodate the nebulizer nozzle. 

(3) The test subject shall don the test enclosure.

Throughout the threshold screening test, the

test subject shall breathe through his or her

slightly open mouth with tongue extended. The

subject is instructed to report when he/she detects a bitter taste 

(4) Using a DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer or equivalent, the test conductor shall spray the Threshold Check Solution

into the enclosure. This Nebulizer shall be

clearly marked to distinguish it from the fit test

solution nebulizer. 

(5) The Threshold Check Solution is prepared by

adding 13.5 milligrams of Bitrex to 100 ml of 5%

salt (NaCl) solution in distilled water. 

(6) To produce the aerosol, the nebulizer bulb is

firmly squeezed so that the bulb collapses completely, and is then released and allowed to fully

expand. 

(7) An initial ten squeezes are repeated rapidly

and then the test subject is asked whether the

Bitrex can be tasted. If the test subject reports

tasting the bitter taste during the ten squeezes,

the screening test is completed. The taste

threshold is noted as ten regardless of the number of squeezes actually completed. 

(8) If the first response is negative, ten more

squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the Bitrex is tasted. If

the test subject reports tasting the bitter taste

during the second ten squeezes, the screening

test is completed. The taste threshold is noted

as twenty regardless of the number of squeezes

actually completed. 

(9) If the second response is negative, ten more

squeezes are repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the Bitrex is tasted. If

the test subject reports tasting the bitter taste

during the third set of ten squeezes, the screening test is completed. The taste threshold is

noted as thirty regardless of the number of

squeezes actually completed. 

(10) The test conductor will take note of the

number of squeezes required to solicit a taste

response. 

(11) If the Bitrex is not tasted after 30 squeezes

(step 10), the test subject is unable to taste Bitrex and may not perform the Bitrex fit test. 

(12) If a taste response is elicited, the test subject shall be asked to take note of the taste for

reference in the fit test. 

(13) Correct use of the nebulizer means that approximately 1 ml of liquid is used at a time in

the nebulizer body. 

(14) The nebulizer shall be thoroughly rinsed in

water, shaken to dry, and refilled at least each

morning and afternoon or at least every four

hours.

(b) Bitrex Solution Aerosol Fit Test Procedure.

(1) The test subject may not eat, drink (except

plain water), smoke, or chew gum for 15 minutes before the test. 

(2) The fit test uses the same enclosure as that

described in 4. (a) above. 

(3) The test subject shall don the enclosure

while wearing the respirator selected according

to section I. A. of this appendix. The respirator

shall be properly adjusted and equipped with

any type particulate filter(s). 

(4) A second DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation

Medication Nebulizer or equivalent is used to

spray the fit test solution into the enclosure.

This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it from the screening test solution nebulizer. 

(5) The fit test solution is prepared by adding

337.5 mg of Bitrex to 200 ml of a 5% salt (NaCl)

solution in warm water. 

(6) As before, the test subject shall breathe

through his or her slightly open mouth with

tongue extended, and be instructed to report if

he/she tastes the bitter taste of Bitrex. 

(7) The nebulizer is inserted into the hole in the

front of the enclosure and an initial concentration of the fit test solution is sprayed into the enclosure using the same number of squeezes

(either 10, 20 or 30 squeezes) based on the num8 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
ber of squeezes required to elicit a taste response as noted during the screening test. 

(8) After generating the aerosol, the test subject

shall be instructed to perform the exercises in

section I. A. 14. of this appendix. 

(9) Every 30 seconds the aerosol concentration

shall be replenished using one half the number

of squeezes used initially (e.g., 5, 10 or 15). 

(10) The test subject shall indicate to the test

conductor if at any time during the fit test the

taste of Bitrex is detected. If the test subject

does not report tasting the Bitrex, the test is

passed. 

(11) If the taste of Bitrex is detected, the fit is

deemed unsatisfactory and the test is failed. A

different respirator shall be tried and the entire

test procedure is repeated (taste threshold

screening and fit testing).

5. Irritant Smoke (Stannic Chloride) Protocol 

This qualitative fit test uses a person’s response to

the irritating chemicals released in the “smoke” produced by a stannic chloride ventilation smoke tube

to detect leakage into the respirator.

(a) General Requirements and Precautions

(1) The respirator to be tested shall be equipped

with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or

P100 series filter(s). 

(2) Only stannic chloride smoke tubes shall be

used for this protocol. 

(3) No form of test enclosure or hood for the test

subject shall be used. 

(4) The smoke can be irritating to the eyes,

lungs, and nasal passages. The test conductor

shall take precautions to minimize the test subject’s exposure to irritant smoke. Sensitivity

varies, and certain individuals may respond to a

greater degree to irritant smoke. Care shall be

taken when performing the sensitivity screening

checks that determine whether the test subject

can detect irritant smoke to use only the minimum amount of smoke necessary to elicit a response from the test subject. 

(5) The fit test shall be performed in an area with

adequate ventilation to prevent exposure of the

person conducting the fit test or the build-up of

irritant smoke in the general atmosphere.

(b) Sensitivity Screening Check 

The person to be tested must demonstrate his

or her ability to detect a weak concentration of

the irritant smoke.

(1) The test operator shall break both ends of a

ventilation smoke tube containing stannic chloride, and attach one end of the smoke tube to a

low flow air pump set to deliver 200 milliliters

per minute, or an aspirator squeeze bulb. The

test operator shall cover the other end of the

smoke tube with a short piece of tubing to prevent potential injury from the jagged end of the

smoke tube. 

(2) The test operator shall advise the test subject

that the smoke can be irritating to the eyes,

lungs, and nasal passages and instruct the subject to keep his/her eyes closed while the test is

performed. 

(3) The test subject shall be allowed to smell a

weak concentration of the irritant smoke before

the respirator is donned to become familiar with

its irritating properties and to determine if

he/she can detect the irritating properties of the

smoke. The test operator shall carefully direct a

small amount of the irritant smoke in the test

subject’s direction to determine that he/she can

detect it.

(c) Irritant Smoke Fit Test Procedure

(1) The person being fit tested shall don the respirator without assistance, and perform the required user seal check(s). 

(2) The test subject shall be instructed to keep

his/her eyes closed. 

(3) The test operator shall direct the stream of irritant smoke from the smoke tube toward the

faceseal area of the test subject, using the low

flow pump or the squeeze bulb. The test operator shall begin at least 12 inches from the facepiece and move the smoke stream around the

whole perimeter of the mask. The operator shall

gradually make two more passes around the

perimeter of the mask, moving to within six

inches of the respirator. 

(4) If the person being tested has not had an involuntary response and/or detected the irritant

smoke, proceed with the test exercises. 

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

8 7
(5) The exercises identified in section I.A. 14. of

this appendix shall be performed by the test

subject while the respirator seal is being continually challenged by the smoke, directed around

the perimeter of the respirator at a distance of

six inches. 

(6) If the person being fit tested reports detecting the irritant smoke at any time, the test is

failed. The person being retested must repeat

the entire sensitivity check and fit test procedure. 

(7) Each test subject passing the irritant smoke

test without evidence of a response (involuntary

cough, irritation) shall be given a second sensitivity screening check, with the smoke from the

same smoke tube used during the fit test, once

the respirator has been removed, to determine

whether he/she still reacts to the smoke. Failure

to evoke a response shall void the fit test. 

(8) If a response is produced during this second

sensitivity check, then the fit test is passed.

C. Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Protocols 

The following quantitative fit testing procedures

have been demonstrated to be acceptable: Quantitative fit testing using a non-hazardous test aerosol

(such as corn oil, polyethylene glycol 400 [PEG 400],

di-2-ethyl hexyl sebacate [DEHS], or sodium chloride) generated in a test chamber, and employing instrumentation to quantify the fit of the respirator;

Quantitative fit testing using ambient aerosol as the

test agent and appropriate instrumentation (condensation nuclei counter) to quantify the respirator fit;

Quantitative fit testing using controlled negative

pressure and appropriate instrumentation to measure the volumetric leak rate of a facepiece to quantify

the respirator fit. 

1. General

(a) The employer shall ensure that persons administering QNFT are able to calibrate equipment and

perform tests properly, recognize invalid tests, 

calculate fit factors properly and ensure that test

equipment is in proper working order. 

(b) The employer shall ensure that QNFT equipment is kept clean, and is maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer’s

instructions so as to operate at the parameters for

which it was designed.

2. Generated Aerosol Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol

(a) Apparatus.

(1) Instrumentation. Aerosol generation, dilution, and measurement systems using particulates (corn oil, polyethylene glycol 400 [PEG

400], di-2-ethyl hexyl sebacate [DEHS] or

sodium chloride) as test aerosols shall be used

for quantitative fit testing. 

(2) Test chamber. The test chamber shall be

large enough to permit all test subjects to perform freely all required exercises without disturbing the test agent concentration or the

measurement apparatus. The test chamber shall

be equipped and constructed so that the test

agent is effectively isolated from the ambient

air, yet uniform in concentration throughout the

chamber. 

(3) When testing air-purifying respirators, the

normal filter or cartridge element shall be replaced with a high efficiency particulate air

(HEPA) or P100 series filter supplied by the

same manufacturer. 

(4) The sampling instrument shall be selected so

that a computer record or strip chart record may

be made of the test showing the rise and fall of

the test agent concentration with each inspiration and expiration at fit factors of at least 2,000.

Integrators or computers that integrate the

amount of test agent penetration leakage into

the respirator for each exercise may be used

provided a record of the readings is made. 

(5) The combination of substitute air-purifying

elements, test agent and test agent concentration shall be such that the test subject is not exposed in excess of an established exposure limit

for the test agent at any time during the testing

process, based upon the length of the exposure

and the exposure limit duration. 

(6) The sampling port on the test specimen respirator shall be placed and constructed so that

no leakage occurs around the port (e.g., where

the respirator is probed), a free air flow is allowed into the sampling line at all times, and

there is no interference with the fit or performance of the respirator. The in-mask sampling device (probe) shall be designed and used so that

the air sample is drawn from the breathing zone

of the test subject, midway between the nose

and mouth and with the probe extending into

the facepiece cavity at least 1/4 inch. 

8 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
(7) The test setup shall permit the person administering the test to observe the test subject

inside the chamber during the test. 

(8) The equipment generating the test atmosphere shall maintain the concentration of test

agent constant to within a 10 percent variation

for the duration of the test. 

(9) The time lag (interval between an event and

the recording of the event on the strip chart or

computer or integrator) shall be kept to a minimum. There shall be a clear association between the occurrence of an event and its being

recorded. 

(10) The sampling line tubing for the test chamber atmosphere and for the respirator sampling

port shall be of equal diameter and of the same

material. The length of the two lines shall be

equal. 

(11) The exhaust flow from the test chamber

shall pass through an appropriate filter (i.e.,

high efficiency particulate filter) before release. 

(12) When sodium chloride aerosol is used, the

relative humidity inside the test chamber shall

not exceed 50 percent. 

(13) The limitations of instrument detection shall

be taken into account when determining the fit

factor. 

(14) Test respirators shall be maintained in

proper working order and be inspected regularly for deficiencies such as cracks or missing

valves and gaskets.

(b) Procedural Requirements.

(1) When performing the initial user seal check

using a positive or negative pressure check, the

sampling line shall be crimped closed in order

to avoid air pressure leakage during either of

these pressure checks. 

(2) The use of an abbreviated screening QLFT

test is optional. Such a test may be utilized in

order to quickly identify poor fitting respirators

that passed the positive and/or negative pressure test and reduce the amount of QNFT time.

The use of the CNC QNFT instrument in the

count mode is another optional method to obtain a quick estimate of fit and eliminate poor fitting respirators before going on to perform a

full QNFT. 

(3) A reasonably stable test agent concentration

shall be measured in the test chamber prior to

testing. For canopy or shower curtain types of

test units, the determination of the test agent’s

stability may be established after the test subject has entered the test environment. 

(4) Immediately after the subject enters the test

chamber, the test agent concentration inside the

respirator shall be measured to ensure that the

peak penetration does not exceed 5 percent for

a half mask or 1 percent for a full facepiece respirator. 

(5) A stable test agent concentration shall be obtained prior to the actual start of testing. 

(6) Respirator restraining straps shall not be

over-tightened for testing. The straps shall be

adjusted by the wearer without assistance from

other persons to give a reasonably comfortable

fit typical of normal use. The respirator shall not

be adjusted once the fit test exercises begin. 

(7) The test shall be terminated whenever any

single peak penetration exceeds 5 percent for

half masks and 1 percent for full facepiece respirators. The test subject shall be refitted and

retested. 

(8) Calculation of fit factors.

(i) The fit factor shall be determined for the

quantitative fit test by taking the ratio of the

average chamber concentration to the concentration measured inside the respirator for

each test exercise except the grimace exercise. 

(ii) The average test chamber concentration

shall be calculated as the arithmetic average

of the concentration measured before and

after each test (i.e., 7 exercises) or the arithmetic average of the concentration measured

before and after each exercise or the true average measured continuously during the respirator sample. 

(iii) The concentration of the challenge agent

inside the respirator shall be determined by

one of the following methods: 

(A) Average peak penetration method means

the method of determining test agent penetration into the respirator utilizing a strip chart

recorder, integrator, or computer. The agent

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

8 9
penetration is determined by an average of

the peak heights on the graph or by computer

integration, for each exercise except the grimace exercise. Integrators or computers that

calculate the actual test agent penetration into

the respirator for each exercise will also be

considered to meet the requirements of the

average peak penetration method. 

(B) Maximum peak penetration method

means the method of determining test agent

penetration in the respirator as determined by

strip chart recordings of the test. The highest

peak penetration for a given exercise is taken

to be representative of average penetration

into the respirator for that exercise. 

(C) Integration by calculation of the area

under the individual peak for each exercise

except the grimace exercise. This includes

computerized integration. 

(D) The calculation of the overall fit factor

using individual exercise fit factors involves

first converting the exercise fit factors to penetration values, determining the average, and

then converting that result back to a fit factor.

This procedure is described in the following

equation:

Where ff1, ff2, ff3, etc. are the fit factors for 

exercises 1, 2, 3, etc. 

(9) The test subject shall not be permitted to

wear a half mask or quarter facepiece respirator

unless a minimum fit factor of 100 is obtained,

or a full facepiece respirator unless a minimum

fit factor of 500 is obtained. 

(10) Filters used for quantitative fit testing shall

be replaced whenever increased breathing resistance is encountered, or when the test agent

has altered the integrity of the filter media.

3. Ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter

(CNC) quantitative fit testing protocol. 

The ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter

(CNC) quantitative fit testing (Portacount TM ) protocol

quantitatively fit tests respirators with the use of a

probe. The probed respirator is only used for quantitative fit tests. A probed respirator has a special sampling device, installed on the respirator, that allows

the probe to sample the air from inside the mask. A

probed respirator is required for each make, style,

model, and size that the employer uses and can be

obtained from the respirator manufacturer or distributor. The CNC instrument manufacturer, TSI Inc., also

provides probe attachments (TSI sampling adapters)

that permit fit testing in an employee’s own respirator. A minimum fit factor pass level of at least 100 is

necessary for a half-mask respirator and a minimum

fit factor pass level of at least 500 is required for a full

facepiece negative pressure respirator. The entire

screening and testing procedure shall be explained

to the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening test.

(a) Portacount Fit Test Requirements.

(1) Check the respirator to make sure the sampling probe and line are properly attached to the

facepiece and that the respirator is fitted with a

particulate filter capable of preventing significant penetration by the ambient particles used

for the fit test (e.g., NIOSH 42 CFR 84 series 100,

series 99, or series 95 particulate filter) per manufacturer’s instruction. 

(2) Instruct the person to be tested to don the

respirator for five minutes before the fit test

starts. This purges the ambient particles trapped

inside the respirator and permits the wearer to

make certain the respirator is comfortable. This

individual shall already have been trained on

how to wear the respirator properly. 

(3) Check the following conditions for the adequacy of the respirator fit: Chin properly placed;

Adequate strap tension, not overly tightened; Fit

across nose bridge; Respirator of proper size to

span distance from nose to chin; Tendency of

the respirator to slip; Self-observation in a mirror to evaluate fit and respirator position. 

(4) Have the person wearing the respirator do a

user seal check. If leakage is detected, determine the cause. If leakage is from a poorly fitting facepiece, try another size of the same

model respirator, or another model of respirator. 

(5) Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for

operating the Portacount and proceed with the

test. 

(6) The test subject shall be instructed to perform the exercises in section I. A. 14. of this appendix. 

(7) After the test exercises, the test subject shall

be questioned by the test conductor regarding

9 0

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
the comfort of the respirator upon completion of

the protocol. If it has become unacceptable, another model of respirator shall be tried.

(b) Portacount Test Instrument.

(1) The Portacount will automatically stop and

calculate the overall fit factor for the entire set of

exercises. The overall fit factor is what counts.

The Pass or Fail message will indicate whether

or not the test was successful. If the test was a

Pass, the fit test is over. 

(2) Since the pass or fail criterion of the Portacount is user programmable, the test operator

shall ensure that the pass or fail criterion meet

the requirements for minimum respirator performance in this Appendix. 

(3) A record of the test needs to be kept on file,

assuming the fit test was successful. The record

must contain the test subject’s name; overall fit

factor; make, model, style, and size of respirator

used; and date tested.

4. Controlled negative pressure (CNP) quantitative fit

testing protocol. 

The CNP protocol provides an alternative to aerosol

fit test methods. The CNP fit test method technology

is based on exhausting air from a temporarily sealed

respirator facepiece to generate and then maintain a

constant negative pressure inside the facepiece. The

rate of air exhaust is controlled so that a constant

negative pressure is maintained in the respirator during the fit test. The level of pressure is selected to

replicate the mean inspiratory pressure that causes

leakage into the respirator under normal use conditions. With pressure held constant, air flow out of the

respirator is equal to air flow into the respirator.

Therefore, measurement of the exhaust stream that

is required to hold the pressure in the temporarily

sealed respirator constant yields a direct measure of

leakage air flow into the respirator. The CNP fit test

method measures leak rates through the facepiece

as a method for determining the facepiece fit for

negative pressure respirators. The CNP instrument

manufacturer Occupational Health Dynamics of

Birmingham, Alabama also provides attachments

(sampling manifolds) that replace the filter cartridges

to permit fit testing in an employee’s own respirator.

To perform the test, the test subject closes his or her

mouth and holds his/her breath, after which an air

pump removes air from the respirator facepiece at a

pre-selected constant pressure. The facepiece fit is

expressed as the leak rate through the facepiece, expressed as milliliters per minute. The quality and validity of the CNP fit tests are determined by the degree to which the in-mask pressure tracks the test

pressure during the system measurement time of

approximately five seconds. Instantaneous feedback

in the form of a real-time pressure trace of the inmask pressure is provided and used to determine

test validity and quality. A minimum fit factor pass

level of 100 is necessary for a half-mask respirator

and a minimum fit factor of at least 500 is required

for a full facepiece respirator. The entire screening

and testing procedure shall be explained to the test

subject prior to the conduct of the screening test.

(a) CNP Fit Test Requirements.

(1) The instrument shall have a non-adjustable

test pressure of 15.0 mm water pressure. 

(2) The CNP system defaults selected for test

pressure shall be set at -- 15 mm of water (-0.58

inches of water) and the modeled inspiratory

flow rate shall be 53.8 liters per minute for performing fit tests. 

(Note: CNP systems have built-in capability to

conduct fit testing that is specific to unique work

rate, mask, and gender situations that might

apply in a specific workplace. Use of system default values, which were selected to represent

respirator wear with medium cartridge resistance at a low-moderate work rate, will allow

inter-test comparison of the respirator fit.) 

(3) The individual who conducts the CNP fit testing shall be thoroughly trained to perform the

test. 

(4) The respirator filter or cartridge needs to be

replaced with the CNP test manifold. The inhalation valve downstream from the manifold either

needs to be temporarily removed or propped

open. 

(5) The employer must train the test subject to

hold his or her breath for at least 10 seconds. 

(6) The test subject must don the test respirator

without any assistance from the test administrator who is conducting the CNP fit test. The respirator must not be adjusted once the fit-test

exercises begin. Any adjustment voids the test,

and the test subject must repeat the fit test. 

(7) The QNFT protocol shall be followed according to section I. C. 1. of this appendix with an exception for the CNP test exercises.

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

9 1
(b) CNP Test Exercises.

(1) Normal breathing. In a normal standing position, without talking, the subject shall breathe

normally for 1 minute. After the normal breathing exercise, the subject needs to hold head

straight ahead and hold his or her breath for 10

seconds during the test measurement. 

(2) Deep breathing. In a normal standing position, the subject shall breathe slowly and deeply

for 1 minute, being careful not to hyperventilate.

After the deep breathing exercise, the subject

shall hold his or her head straight ahead and

hold his or her breath for 10 seconds during test

measurement. 

(3) Turning head side to side. Standing in place,

the subject shall slowly turn his or her head

from side to side between the extreme positions

on each side for 1 minute. The head shall be

held at each extreme momentarily so the subject can inhale at each side. After the turning

head side to side exercise, the subject needs to

hold head full left and hold his or her breath for

10 seconds during test measurement. Next, the

subject needs to hold head full right and hold

his or her breath for 10 seconds during test

measurement. 

(4) Moving head up and down. Standing in

place, the subject shall slowly move his or her

head up and down for 1 minute. The subject

shall be instructed to inhale in the up position

(i.e., when looking toward the ceiling). After the

moving head up and down exercise, the subject

shall hold his or her head full up and hold his or

her breath for 10 seconds during test measurement. Next, the subject shall hold his or her

head full down and hold his or her breath for 10

seconds during test measurement. 

(5) Talking. The subject shall talk out loud slowly

and loud enough so as to be heard clearly by

the test conductor. The subject can read from a

prepared text such as the Rainbow Passage,

count backward from 100, or recite a memorized

poem or song for 1 minute. After the talking exercise, the subject shall hold his or her head

straight ahead and hold his or her breath for 10

seconds during the test measurement. 

(6) Grimace. The test subject shall grimace by

smiling or frowning for 15 seconds. 

(7) Bending Over. The test subject shall bend at

the waist as if he or she were to touch his or her

toes for 1 minute. Jogging in place shall be substituted for this exercise in those test environments such as shroud-type QNFT units that prohibit bending at the waist. After the bending

over exercise, the subject shall hold his or her

head straight ahead and hold his or her breath

for 10 seconds during the test measurement. 

(8) Normal Breathing. The test subject shall remove and re-don the respirator within a oneminute period. Then, in a normal standing

position, without talking, the subject shall

breathe normally for 1 minute. After the normal

breathing exercise, the subject shall hold his or

her head straight ahead and hold his or her

breath for 10 seconds during the test measurement. After the test exercises, the test subject

shall be questioned by the test conductor regarding the comfort of the respirator upon completion of the protocol. If it has become

unacceptable, another model of a respirator

shall be tried.

(c) CNP Test Instrument.

(1) The test instrument must have an effective

audio-warning device, or a visual-warning device in the form of a screen tracing, that indicates when the test subject fails to hold his or

her breath during the test. The test must be terminated and restarted from the beginning when

the test subject fails to hold his or her breath

during the test. The test subject then may be refitted and retested. 

(2) A record of the test shall be kept on file, assuming the fit test was successful. The record

must contain the test subject’s name; overall fit

factor; make, model, style and size of respirator

used; and date tested.

5. Controlled negative pressure (CNP) REDON quantitative fit testing protocol.

(a) When administering this protocol to test subjects, employers must comply with the requirements specified in paragraphs (a) and (c) of Part

I.C.4 of this appendix (“Controlled negative pressure (CNP) quantitative fit testing protocol”), as

well as use the test exercises described below in

paragraph (b) of this protocol instead of the test

exercises specified in paragraph (b) of Part I.C.4 of

this appendix. 

(b) Employers must ensure that each test subject

being fit tested using this protocol follows the exercise and measurement procedures, including the

order of administration, described below in Table

A-1 of this appendix. 

9 2

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
(c) After completing the test exercises, the test administrator must question each test subject regarding the comfort of the respirator. When a test subject

states that the respirator is unacceptable, the employer must ensure that the test administrator repeats the protocol using another respirator model.

(d) Employers must determine the overall fit factor

for each test subject by calculating the harmonic

mean of the fit testing exercises as follows: 

Where:

N = The number of exercises;

FF1 = The fit factor for the first exercise;

FF2 = The fit factor for the second exercise; and

FFN = The fit factor for the nth exercise.

Part II. New Fit Test Protocols

A. Any person may submit to OSHA an application

for approval of a new fit test protocol. If the application meets the following criteria, OSHA will initiate a

rulemaking proceeding under section 6(b)(7) of the

OSH Act to determine whether to list the new protocol as an approved protocol in this Appendix A. 

B. The application must include a detailed description of the proposed new fit test protocol. This application must be supported by either: 

1. A test report prepared by an independent government research laboratory (e.g., Lawrence Livermore

National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the National Institute for Standards and Technology) stating that the laboratory has tested the

protocol and had found it to be accurate and reliable;

or 

2. An article that has been published in a peerreviewed industrial hygiene journal describing the

protocol and explaining how test data support the

protocol’s accuracy and reliability. 

C. If OSHA determines that additional information is

required before the Agency commences a rulemaking proceeding under this section, OSHA will so

notify the applicant and afford the applicant the opportunity to submit the supplemental information.

Initiation of a rulemaking proceeding will be deferred

until OSHA has received and evaluated the supplemental information.

Table A-1. CNP REDON Quantitative Fit Testing Protocol

Exercises(1) Exercise procedure Measurement procedure

Facing Forward Stand and breathe normally, Face forward, while holding breath 

without talking, for 30 seconds. for 10 seconds.

Bending Over Bend at the waist, as if going to touch Face parallel to the floor, while

his or her toes, for 30 seconds. holding breath for 10 seconds

Head Shaking For about three seconds, shake head Face forward, while holding breath 

back and forth vigorously several times for 10 seconds.

while shouting.

REDON 1 Remove the respirator mask, loosen all Face forward, while holding breath 

facepiece straps, and then redon the for 10 seconds. 

respirator mask.

REDON 2 Remove the respirator mask, loosen all Face forward, while holding breath

facepiece straps, and then redon the for 10 seconds.

respirator mask again.

1 Exercises are listed in the order in which they are to be administered.

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

9 3
Appendix B-1 to §1910.134: 

User Seal Check Procedures

(Mandatory)

The individual who uses a tight-fitting respirator is to

perform a user seal check to ensure that an adequate

seal is achieved each time the respirator is put on. Either the positive and negative pressure checks listed

in this appendix, or the respirator manufacturer’s

recommended user seal check method shall be used.

User seal checks are not substitutes for qualitative or

quantitative fit tests.

I. Facepiece Positive and/or Negative Pressure

Checks

A. Positive pressure check. Close off the exhalation

valve and exhale gently into the facepiece. The face

fit is considered satisfactory if a slight positive pressure can be built up inside the facepiece without any

evidence of outward leakage of air at the seal. For

most respirators this method of leak testing requires

the wearer to first remove the exhalation valve cover

before closing off the exhalation valve and then carefully replacing it after the test.

B. Negative pressure check. Close off the inlet opening of the canister or cartridge(s) by covering with

the palm of the hand(s) or by replacing the filter

seal(s), inhale gently so that the facepiece collapses

slightly, and hold the breath for ten seconds. The design of the inlet opening of some cartridges cannot

be effectively covered with the palm of the hand. The

test can be performed by covering the inlet opening

of the cartridge with a thin latex or nitrile glove. If the

facepiece remains in its slightly collapsed condition

and no inward leakage of air is detected, the tightness of the respirator is considered satisfactory.

II. Manufacturer’s Recommended User Seal

Check Procedures

The respirator manufacturer’s recommended procedures for performing a user seal check may be

used instead of the positive and/or negative pressure check procedures provided that the employer

demonstrates that the manufacturer’s procedures are

equally effective.

9 4

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Appendix B-2 to §1910.134: 

Respirator Cleaning Procedures

(Mandatory)

These procedures are provided for employer use

when cleaning respirators. They are general in nature, and the employer as an alternative may use the

cleaning recommendations provided by the manufacturer of the respirators used by their employees,

provided such procedures are as effective as those

listed here in Appendix B- 2. Equivalent effectiveness

simply means that the procedures used must accomplish the objectives set forth in Appendix B-2, i.e.,

must ensure that the respirator is properly cleaned

and disinfected in a manner that prevents damage to

the respirator and does not cause harm to the user.

I. Procedures for Cleaning Respirators

A. Remove filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble facepieces by removing speaking diaphragms,

demand and pressure-demand valve assemblies,

hoses, or any components recommended by the

manufacturer. Discard or repair any defective parts.

B. Wash components in warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F]

maximum) water with a mild detergent or with a

cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. A stiff

bristle (not wire) brush may be used to facilitate the

removal of dirt.

C. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43

deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running

water. Drain.

D. When the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent, respirator components should be immersed for two minutes in one of the following:

1. Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made

by adding approximately one milliliter of laundry

bleach to one liter of water at 43 deg. C (110 deg. F);

or,

2. Aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm iodine) made

by adding approximately 0.8 milliliters of tincture of

iodine (6-8 grams ammonium and/or potassium iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to one liter of water at 43

deg. C (110 deg. F); or,

3. Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant quality when used as directed, if

their use is recommended or approved by the respirator manufacturer.

E. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43

deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running

water. Drain. The importance of thorough rinsing

cannot be overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry on facepieces may result in dermatitis.

In addition, some disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber or corrosion of metal parts if not completely removed.

F. Components should be hand-dried with a clean

lint-free cloth or air-dried.

G. Reassemble facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges, and canisters where necessary.

H. Test the respirator to ensure that all components

work properly.

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

9 5
Appendix C to §1910.134: 

OSHA Respirator Medical 

Evaluation Questionnaire 

(Mandatory)

To the employer: Answers to questions in Section 1,

and to question 9 in Section 2 of Part A, do not require a medical examination.

To the employee:

Can you read (circle one): Yes/No

Your employer must allow you to answer this questionnaire during normal working hours, or at a time

and place that is convenient to you. To maintain your

confidentiality, your employer or supervisor must

not look at or review your answers, and your employer must tell you how to deliver or send this

questionnaire to the health care professional who

will review it.

Part A. Section 1. (Mandatory) 

The following information must be provided by

every employee who has been selected to use any

type of respirator (please print).

1. Today’s date:___________________________________

2. Your name:____________________________________

3. Your age (to nearest year):______________________

4. Sex (circle one): Male/Female

5. Your height: __________ ft. __________ in.

6. Your weight: ____________ lbs.

7. Your job title:___________________________________

8. A phone number where you can be reached by the

health care professional who reviews this questionnaire (include the Area Code): ____________________

9. The best time to phone you at this number:

___________________________

10. Has your employer told you how to contact the

health care professional who will review this questionnaire (circle one): Yes/No

11. Check the type of respirator you will use (you can

check more than one category):

a. ______ N, R, or P disposable respirator (filtermask, non-cartridge type only).

b. ______ Other type (for example, half- or full-facepiece type, powered-air purifying, supplied-air, selfcontained breathing apparatus).

12. Have you worn a respirator (circle one): Yes/No

If “yes,” what

type(s):_________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Part A. Section 2. (Mandatory) 

Questions 1 through 9 below must be answered by

every employee who has been selected to use any

type of respirator (please circle “yes” or “no”).

1. Do you currently smoke tobacco, or have you

smoked tobacco in the last month: Yes/No

2. Have you ever had any of the following conditions?

Seizures (fits): Yes/No

Diabetes (sugar disease): Yes/No

Allergic reactions that interfere with your 

breathing: Yes/No

Claustrophobia (fear of closed-in places): Yes/No

Trouble smelling odors: Yes/No

3. Have you ever had any of the following pulmonary

or lung problems?

Asbestosis: Yes/No

Asthma: Yes/No

Chronic bronchitis: Yes/No

Emphysema: Yes/No

Pneumonia: Yes/No

Tuberculosis: Yes/No

Silicosis: Yes/No

Pneumothorax (collapsed lung): Yes/No

Lung cancer: Yes/No

Broken ribs: Yes/No

Any chest injuries or surgeries: Yes/No

Any other lung problem that you’ve been told 

about: Yes/No

4. Do you currently have any of the following symptoms of pulmonary or lung illness?

9 6

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Shortness of breath: Yes/No

Shortness of breath when walking fast on level 

ground or walking up a slight hill or incline: 

Yes/No

Shortness of breath when walking with other 

people at an ordinary pace on level ground: 

Yes/No

Have to stop for breath when walking at your own 

pace on level ground: Yes/No

Shortness of breath when washing or dressing 

yourself: Yes/No

Shortness of breath that interferes with your job: 

Yes/No

Coughing that produces phlegm (thick sputum): 

Yes/No

Coughing that wakes you early in the morning: 

Yes/No

Coughing that occurs mostly when you are lying

down: Yes/No

Coughing up blood in the last month: Yes/No

Wheezing: Yes/No

Wheezing that interferes with your job: Yes/No

Chest pain when you breathe deeply: Yes/No

Any other symptoms that you think may be related

to lung problems: Yes/No

5. Have you ever had any of the following cardiovascular or heart problems?

Heart attack: Yes/No

Stroke: Yes/No

Angina: Yes/No

Heart failure: Yes/No

Swelling in your legs or feet (not caused by

walking): Yes/No

Heart arrhythmia (heart beating irregularly): Yes/No

High blood pressure: Yes/No

Any other heart problem that you’ve been told

about: Yes/No

6. Have you ever had any of the following cardiovascular or heart symptoms?

Frequent pain or tightness in your chest: Yes/No

Pain or tightness in your chest during physical 

activity: Yes/No

Pain or tightness in your chest that interferes with

your job: Yes/No

In the past two years, have you noticed your heart

skipping or missing a beat: Yes/No

Heartburn or indigestion that is not related to 

eating: Yes/ No

Any other symptoms that you think may be related

to heart or circulation problems: Yes/No

7. Do you currently take medication for any of the

following problems?

Breathing or lung problems: Yes/No

Heart trouble: Yes/No

Blood pressure: Yes/No

Seizures (fits): Yes/No

8. If you’ve used a respirator, have you ever had any

of the following problems? (If you’ve never used a

respirator, check the following space and go to question 9:)

Eye irritation: Yes/No

Skin allergies or rashes: Yes/No

Anxiety: Yes/No

General weakness or fatigue: Yes/No

Any other problem that interferes with your use of

a respirator: Yes/No

9. Would you like to talk to the health care professional who will review this questionnaire about your

answers to this questionnaire: Yes/No

Questions 10 to 15 below must be answered by

every employee who has been selected to use either

a full-facepiece respirator or a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). For employees who have

been selected to use other types of respirators, answering these questions is voluntary.

10. Have you ever lost vision in either eye (temporarily or permanently): Yes/No

11. Do you currently have any of the following vision

problems?

Wear contact lenses: Yes/No

Wear glasses: Yes/No

Color blind: Yes/No

Any other eye or vision problem: Yes/No

12. Have you ever had an injury to your ears, including a broken ear drum: Yes/No

13. Do you currently have any of the following hearing problems?

Difficulty hearing: Yes/No

Wear a hearing aid: Yes/No

Any other hearing or ear problem: Yes/No

14. Have you ever had a back injury: Yes/No

15. Do you currently have any of the following musculoskeletal problems?

Weakness in any of your arms, hands, legs, or feet:

Yes/No

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

9 7
Back pain: Yes/No

Difficulty fully moving your arms and legs: Yes/No

Pain or stiffness when you lean forward or backward at the waist: Yes/No

Difficulty fully moving your head up or down:

Yes/No

Difficulty fully moving your head side to side:

Yes/No

Difficulty bending at your knees: Yes/No

Difficulty squatting to the ground: Yes/No

Climbing a flight of stairs or a ladder carrying

more than 25 lbs: Yes/No

Any other muscle or skeletal problem that interferes with using a respirator: Yes/No

Part B 

Any of the following questions, and other questions

not listed, may be added to the questionnaire at the

discretion of the health care professional who will

review the questionnaire.

1. In your present job, are you working at high altitudes (over 5,000 feet) or in a place that has lower

than normal amounts of oxygen: Yes/No

If “yes,” do you have feelings of dizziness, shortness of breath, pounding in your chest, or other

symptoms when you’re working under these conditions: Yes/No

2. At work or at home, have you ever been exposed

to hazardous solvents, hazardous airborne chemicals

(e.g., gases, fumes, or dust), or have you come into

skin contact with hazardous chemicals: Yes/No

If “yes,” name the chemicals if you know

them:__________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

3. Have you ever worked with any of the materials,

or under any of the conditions, listed below:

Asbestos: Yes/No

Silica (e.g., in sandblasting): Yes/No

Tungsten/cobalt (e.g., grinding or welding this 

material): Yes/No

Beryllium: Yes/No

Aluminum: Yes/No

Coal (for example, mining): Yes/No

Iron: Yes/No

Tin: Yes/No

Dusty environments: Yes/No

Any other hazardous exposures: Yes/No

If “yes,” describe these exposures:_______________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

4. List any second jobs or side businesses you

have:_____________________________________________

__________________________________________________

5. List your previous occupations:__________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

6. List your current and previous hobbies:___________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

7. Have you been in the military services? Yes/No

If “yes,” were you exposed to biological or chemical agents (either in training or combat): Yes/No

8. Have you ever worked on a HAZMAT team?

Yes/No

9. Other than medications for breathing and lung

problems, heart trouble, blood pressure, and

seizures mentioned earlier in this questionnaire, are

you taking any other medications for any reason (including over-the-counter medications): Yes/No

If “yes,” name the medications if you know

them:__________________________________________

10. Will you be using any of the following items with

your respirator(s)?

HEPA Filters: Yes/No

Canisters (for example, gas masks): Yes/No

Cartridges: Yes/No

11. How often are you expected to use the respirator(s) (circle “yes” or “no” for all answers that apply

to you)?:

Escape only (no rescue): Yes/No

Emergency rescue only: Yes/No

Less than 5 hours per week: Yes/No

Less than 2 hours per day: Yes/No

2 to 4 hours per day: Yes/No

Over 4 hours per day: Yes/No

12. During the period you are using the respirator(s),

is your work effort:

Light (less than 200 kcal per hour): Yes/No

If “yes,” how long does this period last during the

average shift:____________hrs.____________mins.

Examples of a light work effort are sitting while

9 8

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
writing, typing, drafting, or performing light assembly work; or standing while operating a drill

press (1-3 lbs.) or controlling machines.

Moderate (200 to 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No

If “yes,” how long does this period last during the

average shift:____________hrs.____________mins.

Examples of moderate work effort are sitting while

nailing or filing; driving a truck or bus in urban traffic; standing while drilling, nailing, performing assembly work, or transferring a moderate load

(about 35 lbs.) at trunk level; walking on a level surface about 2 mph or down a 5-degree grade about

3 mph; or pushing a wheelbarrow with a heavy

load (about 100 lbs.) on a level surface.

Heavy (above 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No

If “yes,” how long does this period last during the

average shift:____________hrs.____________mins.

Examples of heavy work are lifting a heavy load

(about 50 lbs.) from the floor to your waist or

shoulder; working on a loading dock; shoveling;

standing while bricklaying or chipping castings;

walking up an 8-degree grade about 2 mph; climbing stairs with a heavy load (about 50 lbs.).

13. Will you be wearing protective clothing and/or

equipment (other than the respirator) when you’re

using your respirator: Yes/No

If “yes,” describe this protective clothing and/or

equipment:_____________________________________

________________________________________________

14. Will you be working under hot conditions (temperature exceeding 77 deg. F): Yes/No

15. Will you be working under humid conditions:

Yes/No

16. Describe the work you’ll be doing while you’re

using your respirator(s)____________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

17. Describe any special or hazardous conditions you

might encounter when you’re using your

respirator(s) (for example, confined spaces, lifethreatening gases):________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

18. Provide the following information, if you know it,

for each toxic substance that you’ll be exposed to

when you’re using your respirator(s):

Name of the first toxic sustance:_________________

________________________________________________

Estimated maximum exposure level per

shift:___________________________________________

Duration of exposure per

shift:___________________________________________

Name of the second toxic substance:_________________________________________

Estimated maximum exposure level per

shift:___________________________________________

Duration of exposure per

shift:___________________________________________

Name of the third toxic substance:_________________________________________

Estimated maximum exposure level per

shift:___________________________________________

Duration of exposure per

shift:___________________________________________

The name of any other toxic substances that you’ll

be exposed to while using your respirator:

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

________________________________________________

19. Describe any special responsibilities you’ll have

while using your respirator(s) that may affect the

safety and well-being of others (for example, rescue,

security):

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

9 9
Appendix D to §1910.134: 

Information for Employees Using

Respirators When Not Required

Under the Standard (Mandatory) 

Respirators are an effective method of protection

against designated hazards when properly selected

and worn. Respirator use is encouraged, even when

exposures are below the exposure limit, to provide

an additional level of comfort and protection for

workers. However, if a respirator is used improperly

or not kept clean, the respirator itself can become a

hazard to the worker. Sometimes, workers may wear

respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if the

amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the

limits set by OSHA standards. 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. 

You should do the following: 

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the

manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and

care, and warnings regarding the respirators limitations. 

2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect

against the contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,

certifies respirators. A label or statement of certification should appear on the respirator or respirator

packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and how much it will protect you. 

3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not

designed to protect against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect

you against gases, vapors, or very small solid particles of fumes or smoke. 

4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not

mistakenly use someone else's respirator. 

[63 FR 1152, Jan. 8, 1998; 63 FR 20098, 20099, April

23, 1998; assembled at 69 FR 46993, Aug. 4, 2004, 71

FR 16672, April 3, 2006; 71 FR 50187, August 24,

2006]

100

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Attachment 4: 

Sample Program

Small Entity Compliance Guide: Sample Respiratory

Protection Program (fill in blanks with your company’s/

facility’s information).

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. Purpose 

2. Scope and Application 

3. Responsibilities 

• Program Administrator 

• Supervisors

• Workers

4. Program Elements 

• Selection Procedures: Program Administration,

Change Schedules

• Medical Evaluation

• Fit Testing 

• Respirator Use 

• Air Quality 

• Cleaning, Maintenance, Change Schedules, and

Storage 

• Training 

5. Program Evaluation 

6. Documentation and Recordkeeping 

1. Purpose

____________________________ has determined that 

employees in the Prep, Coating, Assembly, and Maintenance departments are exposed to respiratory hazards

during routine operations. These hazards include wood

dust, particulates, and vapors, and in some cases represent Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH)

conditions. The purpose of this program is to ensure

that all ____________________________ employees are

protected from exposure to these respiratory hazards.

Engineering controls, such as ventilation and substitution of less toxic materials, are the first line of defense

at ____________________________; however, engineering

controls have not always been feasible for some of our

operations, or have not always completely controlled

the identified hazards. In these situations, respirators

and other protective equipment must be used. Respirators are also needed to protect employees’ health 

during emergencies. The work processes requiring respirator use at ____________________________ are outlined

in Table 1 in the Scope and Application section of this

program.

In addition, some employees have expressed a desire

to wear respirators during certain operations that do

not require respiratory protection. As a general policy

____________________________ will review each of these

requests on a case-by-case basis. If the use of respiratory protection in a specific case will not jeopardize the

health or safety of the employee(s), ___________________

_________________ will provide respirators for voluntary

use. As outlined in the Scope and Application section of

this program, voluntary respirator use is subject to certain requirements of this program. 

2. Scope and Application

This program applies to all employees who are 

required to wear respirators during normal work operations, and during some non-routine or emergency operations such as a spill of a hazardous substance. This

includes workers in the Prep, Coating (Spray Booth),

Assembly, and Maintenance departments. All employees working in these areas and engaged in certain

processes or tasks (as outlined in the table below) must

be enrolled in the company’s respiratory protection 

program.

In addition, any employee who voluntarily wears a respirator when a respirator is not required (i.e., in certain

maintenance and coating operations) is subject to the

medical evaluation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage

elements of this program, and must be provided with

certain information specified in this section of the 

program.

S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

101
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Occupational Safety and 

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Table 1: Voluntary and Required Respirator Use at ___________________________________

Type of Respirator Employee Work Area Conditions of Use

Filtering facepiece (dust mask) Warehouse workers Voluntary

Filtering facepiece Maintenance workers when Voluntary

cleaning spray booth walls or 

changing spray booth filter

PAPR with P100 filter Preparation and Assembly Mandatory

SAR, pressure demand, Maintenance - dip Mandatory

with auxiliary SCBA coat tank cleaning 

Continuous flow SAR Spray booth operations Mandatory

with hood (prep and cleaning)

Half facepiece APR, Dip Coat Tenders, Spray Voluntary

with organic vapor Maintenance workers

cartridge and loading coating agents 

into supply system

Escape SCBA Dip Coat, Coatings Mandatory

Storage Area, Spray

Booth Cleaning Area

until ventilation is installed

Supervisors: supervisors are responsible for ensuring

that the respiratory protection program is implemented

in their particular areas. In addition to being knowledgeable about the program requirements for their own protection, supervisors must also ensure that the program

is understood and followed by the workers under their

charge. Note: Workers participating in the respiratory

protection program do so at no cost to themselves.

Duties of the supervisor include:

• Ensuring that employees under their supervision (including new hires) have received appropriate training, fit testing, and annual medical evaluation.

• Ensuring the availability of appropriate respirators

and accessories.

• Being aware of tasks requiring the use of respiratory

protection.

• Enforcing the proper use of respiratory protection

when necessary.

• Ensuring that respirators are properly cleaned,

maintained, inspected, and stored according to the

respiratory protection plan.

• Ensuring that respirators fit well and do not cause

discomfort.

3. Responsibilities

Program Administrator: the Program Administrator

is responsible for administering the respiratory protection program. Duties of the program administrator include:

• Identifying work areas, processes or tasks that require workers to wear respirators, and evaluating

hazards.

• Ensuring adequate air quantity, quality, and flow of

breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators.

(See (c)(1) of the standard.)

• Selection of respiratory protection options.

• Monitoring respirator use to ensure that respirators

are used in accord with their certifications.

• Arranging for and/or conducting training.

• Ensuring proper storage, cleaning, inspections, and

maintenance of respiratory protection equipment.

• Conducting qualitative fit testing with Bitrex.

• Administering the medical surveillance program.

• Maintaining records required by the program.

• Evaluating the program.

• Updating written program, as needed.

• The Program Administrator for____________________

is ________________________.
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• Continually monitoring work areas and operations

to identify respiratory hazards.

• Coordinating with the Program Administrator on

how to address respiratory hazards or other concerns regarding the program.

• Ensuring adequate air quantity, quality, and flow of

breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators.

(See (c)(1) of the standard.)

Employees: each employee has the responsibility:

• To wear his or her respirator when and where 

required and in the manner in which they were

trained. 

• Care for and maintain their respirators as instructed,

and store them in a clean, sanitary location.

• Inform their supervisor if the respirator no longer fits

well, and request a new one that fits properly.

• Inform their supervisor or the Program Administrator of any respiratory hazards that they feel are not

adequately addressed in the workplace and of any

other concerns that they have regarding the program.

• Inform their supervisor of need for a medical 

reevaluation.

4. Program Elements

Selection Procedures – The Program 

Administrator:

• Will select respirators to be used on site, based on

the hazards to which workers are exposed and in accord with all applicable OSHA standards. 

• Will conduct a hazard evaluation for each operation,

process, or work area where airborne contaminants

may be present in routine operations or during an

emergency. 

• Monitoring can be contracted out.

• The hazard evaluation will include:

- Identification and development of a list of 

hazardous substances used in the workplace, by

department or work process.

- Review of work processes to determine where potential exposures to these hazardous substances

may occur. This review is to be conducted by surveying the workplace, reviewing process records,

and talking with employees and supervisors.

- Exposure monitoring to quantify potential 

hazardous exposures. 

- If worker exposures have not been, or cannot be,

evaluated they must be considered IDLH.

- Respirators are selected based on the workplace

hazards evaluated, and workplace and user factors

affecting respirator performance and reliability.

• Respirators are selected based on the Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) and calculated Maximum Use

Concentrations (MUCs).

• A sufficient number of respirator sizes and models

must be provided to the employee during fit testing

to identify the acceptable respirator that correctly fits

the users.

• For IDLH atmospheres:

- Full facepiece pressure demand SARs with auxiliary SCBA unit or full facepiece pressure demand

SCBAs, with a minimum service life of 30 minutes,

must be provided.

- Respirators used for escape only are NIOSH-certified for the atmosphere in which they will be used.

- Oxygen deficient atmospheres are considered

IDLH.

• For Non-IDLH atmospheres, respirators are:

- Selected as appropriate for the APFs and MUCs.

- Selected as appropriate for the chemical nature

and physical form of the contaminant.

- Equipped with end-of-service-life indicators

(ESLIs) if the respirators (APRs) are used for 

protection against gases and vapors. If there is 

no ESLI, then a change schedule must be 

implemented.

- Equipped with NIOSH-certified HEPA filters (or

other filters certified by NIOSH for particulates

under 42 CFR part 84) if the respirators (APRs) are

to be used for protection against particulates. 

• When monitoring is contracted out, an example of

the type of statement needed in the respirator program is: _________________________________________

currently has a contract with ______________________

to provide monitoring when needed. 

Note: Table 2 at the end of this program contains

the sampling data on which this section was based.

The results of the current hazard evaluation are the

following:

- Prep-sanding: Ventilation controls on some

sanders are in place, but employees continue to

be exposed to respirable wood dust at 2.5 - 7.0

mg/m3 (8-hour time-weighted average, or TWA).

Half facepiece APRs with P100 filters and goggles

are required for employees sanding wood pieces.

PAPRs will be available for employees who are

unable to wear an APR.
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

- Prep-cleaning: Average methylene chloride exposures measured at 70 ppm based on 8-hour TWA

exposure results for workers cleaning/stripping

furniture pieces. Ventilation controls are planned

but will not be implemented until designs are

completed and a contract has been let for installation of the controls. In the meantime, workers

must wear supplied-air hoods with continuous air

flow, as required by the Methylene Chloride standard at 29 CFR 1910.1052.

- Coating-spray booth: ___________________________

has decided to take a conservative approach and

require all employees to wear supplied-air respirators when working inside the spray booth. Based

on exposure data in published reports on the

same type of spray booth operations, the Program

Administrator has determined that a SAR in the

continuous flow mode will provide sufficient protection. Spray booth employees may opt to wear

half facepiece APRs with organic vapor cartridges

when cleaning spray guns.

- Coating-dip coat and drying: Exposures are kept

within PELs by ventilation, and employees generally enter the dip coat area for short time periods

(up to one hour). Vapors could leak into the dip

coat and drying areas if the ventilation system is

not running at peak efficiency. Odors in this area

are often unpleasant even at the levels maintained

by the ventilation system. While

___________________ notes that respiratory protection is not required in this area, the company recognizes employee concern about breathing

vapors and about having to work in an unpleasant

environment. Accordingly, employees may voluntarily choose to wear a half facepiece APR with organic vapor cartridges when working in this area.

- Assembly: Ventilation controls on sanders are in

place, but employees continue to be exposed to

respirable wood dust at 2.5 - 6.0 mg/m3 (8-hour

TWA); half facepiece APRs with P100 filters and

goggles are required for employees sanding

wood pieces in the assembly department. PAPRs

will be available for employees who are unable to

wear an APR. The planned substitution for aqueous-based glues will eliminate exposures to

formaldehyde, methylene chloride, and epoxy

resins. Until then, appropriate respiratory protection is required according to the Formaldehyde

and Methylene Chloride standards, and the 

cartridge, filter, and canister requirements of the

Respiratory Protection standard at paragraph

(d)(3)(ii).

- Maintenance: Because of potential IDLH conditions, employees cleaning dip coat tanks must

wear a pressure demand SAR during the performance of this task. Employees may voluntarily wear

half facepiece APRs with P100 cartridges when

cleaning spray booth walls or changing booth filters, and half facepiece APRs with organic vapor

cartridges when loading coating agents into supply systems. Although exposure monitoring has

shown that exposures are kept within PELs during

these procedures, _____________________________

will provide respirators to workers who are concerned about potential exposures.
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Table 2: Hazard Assessment (Sample Program) - Date of Assessment

Department

Spray Booth 

Cleaning Area

Dip Coat/ 

Drying Area

Coatings 

Storage Area

Dip Coat Tank

Cleaner

Preparation

Coat/Assembly

Area/Maintenance

Preparation 

Sanding

Preparation 

cleaning/clean 

and strip

Coat/Spray Booth

Coat 

Spray/Cleaning 

Spray Gun

Coating/Dip

Tank/Drying

Assembly

Maintenance:

cleaning dip 

coat tanks 

Contaminants

Possible emergency

spills of hazardous

substances

Potentially 

malfunctioning 

ventilation system;

leak in supply

Leaks/spills

Possible IDLH

Respirable wood dust,

other particulates, 

vapors; can be IDLH

Respirable wood dust

Methylene Chloride

Respirable wood dust

Exposure Level

(8-hr TWA)

2.5 - 7.0 mg/m3

70 ppm

2.5 - 6.0 mg/m3

IDLH

PEL

IDLH

Can be IDLH

15 mg/m3

25 ppm PEL

12.5 ppm AL

125 ppm STEL

15 mg/m3

Controls

Alarms; escape respirators located 

in Locker #1 in Spray Booth

Alarms; escape respirators located 

in Storage Area #3 in the Dip

Coat/Drying Area

Alarms; escape respirators located in

locker #4 in the Coating Storage Area

Pressure demand SAR; confined

space entry procedures as specified

in the Confined Space Program for

this workplace

Pressure demand SAR

Half facepiece APRs with P100 filters

and goggles

Awaiting the installation of ventilation; until then, SAR hood with continuous flow

At Program Administrator’s discretion: SAR Hood with continuous flow

When cleaning spray guns only, 

employees may opt for APRs with 

organic vapor cartridges

Ventilation; employees work in this

area for short periods of time only (an

hour); due to the presence of smells

and vapors, employees may voluntarily choose to wear half mask APRs

with organic vapor filters

Although ventilation has been provided, employees still experience respirable dust; half facepiece APRs with

P100 filters and goggles; PAPRs can

be made available to workers who

cannot wear half mask APRs; substitution of aqueous-based glues will

eliminate exposures to formaldehyde, methylene chloride, and epoxy

resins

Pressure demand SAR while performing this task
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Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Updating the Hazard Assessment – The Program 

Administrator:

• Must revise and update the hazard assessment as

needed (i.e., any time work process changes may

potentially affect exposure). If an employee feels

that respiratory protection is needed during a particular activity, he/she is to contact his or her supervisor or the Program Administrator. The Program

Administrator then:

• Will evaluate the potential hazard, arranging for outside assistance as necessary. 

• Will then communicate the results of that assessment back to the employees. If it is determined that

respiratory protection is necessary, all other elements of this program will be in effect for those

tasks, and this program will be updated accordingly.

• Will ensure that all respirators are certified by the

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH) and are used in accord with the terms of

that certification. 

• Will also ensure that all filters, cartridges, and canisters must be labeled with the appropriate NIOSH

certification label. The label must not be removed or

defaced while it is in use.

• Regarding Voluntary Respirator Use, the following

statement is needed: ___________________________

will provide respirators at no charge to employees

for voluntary use for the following work processes/

areas:

Employees may wear half facepiece APRs with 

organic vapor cartridges while working in the dip

coat area.

Warehouse workers may wear filtering facepieces.

Spray Booth Operators may wear half facepiece

APRs with organic vapor cartridges while cleaning

spray guns.

Maintenance personnel may wear half facepiece

APRs with P100 cartridges while cleaning spray

booth walls, and organic vapor cartridges while

loading spray guns.

The Program Administrator will also:

• Provide all employees who voluntarily choose to

wear either of the above respirators with a copy 

of Appendix D of the standard specified by the 

Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134).

(Appendix D details the requirements for voluntary

use of respirators by workers.) Workers choosing to

wear a half facepiece APR must comply with the

procedures for medical evaluation, respirator use,

and cleaning, maintenance and storage.

• Authorize voluntary use of respiratory protective

equipment as requested by all other workers on a

case-by-case basis, depending on specific workplace

conditions and the results of the medical evaluations. Voluntary use does not require compliance

with these specific provisions of the standard.

Medical Evaluation: Employees who are either 

required to wear respirators, or who choose to wear

an APR voluntarily, must pass a medical exam 

before being permitted to wear a respirator on the

job. Employees are not permitted to wear respirators until a PLHCP has determined that they are

medically able to do so. Any employee refusing 

the medical evaluation will not be allowed to work 

in an area requiring respirator use. A PLHCP

_______________________________, where all 

company medical services are provided, will provide

the medical evaluations. 

Medical evaluation procedures are as follows:

• The medical evaluation will be conducted using the

questionnaire provided in Appendix C of the Respiratory Protection standard. 

• The Program Administrator will provide a copy of

this questionnaire to all employees requiring 

medical evaluations.

• To the extent feasible, the company will assist employees who are unable to read the questionnaire

(by providing help in reading the questionnaire).

When this is not possible, the employee will be sent

directly to the physician for medical evaluation.

• All affected employees will be given a copy of the

medical questionnaire to fill out, along with a

stamped and addressed envelope for mailing the

questionnaire to the company physician. 

Employees will:

• Be permitted to fill out the questionnaire on company time.

• Be granted follow-up medical exams as required by

the Respiratory Protection standard, and/or as

deemed necessary by __________________________

the PLHCP.

• Be granted the opportunity to speak with the 

physician about their medical evaluation, if they so

request.

The Program Administrator has provided __________

____________________________ the physician with:
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• A copy of this program, and a copy of the Respiratory Protection standard. 

• The list of hazardous substances by work area, and

for each employee requiring evaluation, his or her

work area or job.

• The employee’s title, proposed respirator type and

weight, length of time required to wear the respirator, expected physical work load (light, moderate, 

or heavy), potential temperature and humidity 

extremes, and any additional protective clothing 

required.

Any employee required for medical reasons to wear 

a positive pressure air purifying respirator will be 

provided with a powered air purifying respirator. 

After an employee has received clearance and begun to

wear his or her respirator, additional medical evaluations will be provided if: 

• The employee reports signs and/or symptoms 

related to their ability to use a respirator, such as

shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pains, or

wheezing. 

• The PLHCP _________or supervisor informs the 

Program Administrator that the employee needs to

be reevaluated, additional medical evaluation will be

provided.

• Information from this program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need for reevaluation. 

• An example of the PLHCP’s or the supervisor’s 

observations that additional medical evaluation is

needed could be that there has been a change in

workplace conditions that may result in an increased

physiological burden on the employee. 

A list of ____________________________ employees currently included in medical surveillance is provided in

Table 3 of this program. All examinations and questionnaires are to remain confidential between the employee

and the physician.

Fit Testing:

• Fit testing is required for employees wearing half

facepiece APRs for exposure to wood dust in Prep

and Assembly, and maintenance workers who wear

a tight-fitting SAR for dip tank cleaning. 

• Employees voluntarily wearing half facepiece APRs

may also be fit tested upon request. 

• Employees who are required to wear half facepiece

APRs will be fit tested:

- Prior to being allowed to wear any respirator with

a tight fitting facepiece.

- Annually.

- When there are changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respiratory fit (e.g.,

obvious change in body weight, facial scarring,

etc.).

• Employees will be fit tested with the make, model,

and size of respirator that they will actually wear.

• Employees will be provided with several models

and sizes of respirators so that they may find an 

optimal fit.

• Fit testing of PAPRs is to be conducted in the negative pressure mode. The Program Administrator will

conduct fit tests following the OSHA approved Bitrex Solution Aerosol QLFT Protocol in Appendix A

of the Respiratory Protection standard. The Program

Administrator has determined that QNFT is not required for the respirators used under current conditions at ____________________________. If conditions

affecting respirator use change, the Program Administrator will evaluate on a case-by-case basis

whether QNFT is required.

Respirator Use - Responsibilities for Employees are

that they: 

• Will use their respirators under conditions specified

by this program, and in accord with the training they

receive on the use of each particular model. In addition, the respirator must not be used in a manner for

which it is not certified by NIOSH or by its manufacturer.

• Must conduct user seal checks each time that they

wear their respirator. 

• Must use either the positive or negative pressure

check (depending on which test works best for

them) specified in Appendix B-1 of the Respiratory

Protection standard.

• Must leave the work area to go to the locker room to

maintain their respirator for the following reasons: 

- to clean their respirator if the respirator is impeding their ability to work; 

- to change filters or cartridges, or replace parts; or 

- to inspect the respirator if it stops functioning as

intended. 

• Should notify their supervisor before leaving the area.

• Not wear tight-fitting respirators if they have any

condition, such as facial scars, facial hair, or missing

dentures, that prevents them from achieving a good

seal.
108

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

• Not wear headphones, jewelry, or other articles that

may interfere with the facepiece-to-face seal.

Emergency Procedures:

• The following work areas have been identified as

having foreseeable emergencies:

- Spray Booth Cleaning Area - spill of hazardous

waste

- Dip Coat Area - malfunction of ventilation system,

leak in supply system

- Coatings Storage Area - spill or leak of hazardous

substances

• When the alarm sounds, employees in the affected

department must immediately don their emergency

escape respirator, shut down their process equipment, and exit the work area. 

• All other employees must immediately evacuate the

building. ____________________________‘s Emergency

Action Plan describes these procedures (including

proper evacuation routes and rally points) in greater

detail.

• Emergency escape respirators are located in:

- Locker #1 in the Spray Booth Area

- Storage cabinet #3 in the Dip Coat/Drying Area

- Locker #4 in the Coatings Storage Area

• Respiratory protection in these instances is for escape purposes only. ____________________________

employees are not trained as emergency responders, and are not authorized to act in such a manner.

Respirator Malfunction

1. APR Respirator Malfunction:

• For any malfunction of an APR (e.g., breakthrough,

facepiece leakage, or improperly working valve), the

respirator wearer must inform his or her supervisor

that the respirator no longer functions, and go to the

designated safe area to maintain the respirator. The

supervisor must ensure that the employee receives

the needed parts to repair the respirator, or is provided with a new respirator.

2. Atmosphere-Supplying Respirator Malfunction:

• All workers wearing atmosphere-supplying respirators will work with a buddy. 

• Buddies should assist workers who experience an

SAR malfunction as follows:

- If a worker in the spray booth experiences a malfunction of an SAR, he or she should signal to the

buddy that he or she has had a respirator malfunction. The buddy shall don an emergency escape respirator and aid the worker in immediately

exiting the spray booth.

- Workers cleaning wood pieces or assembled furniture in the Prep department will work with a

buddy. If one of the workers experiences a respirator malfunction, he/she shall signal this to their

buddy. The buddy must immediately stop what he

or she is doing to escort the worker to the Prep

staging area where the worker can safely remove

the SAR.

IDLH Procedures

• The Program Administrator has identified the following area as presenting the potential for IDLH

conditions:

• Dip Coat Tank Cleaning:

- Maintenance workers will be periodically required

to enter the dip tank to perform scheduled or 

unscheduled maintenance. 

- In such cases, workers will follow the permitrequired confined space entry procedures 

specified in the ____________________________

Confined Space Program. 

- As specified above, the Program Administrator

has determined that workers entering this area

must wear a pressure demand SAR.

- In addition, an appropriately trained and equipped

standby person must remain outside the dip tank

and maintain constant voice and visual communication with the worker. 

- In the event of an emergency requiring the

standby person to enter the IDLH environment,

the standby person must immediately notify the

Program Administrator and will proceed with rescue operations in accord with rescue procedures

outlined in the ____________________________ 

Confined Space Program.

Air Quality

• For supplied-air respirators, only Grade D breathing

air is to be used in the cylinders. 

• The Program Administrator will coordinate deliveries of compressed air with the company’s vendor,

Compressed Air Inc., and require Compressed Air

Inc. to certify that the air in the cylinders meets the

specifications of Grade D breathing air.

• The Program Administrator will maintain a minimum air supply of one fully charged replacement
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

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cylinder for each SAR unit. In addition, cylinders

may be recharged as necessary from the breathing

air cascade system located near the respirator storage area. 

• The air for this system is provided by ____________’s

supplier, and deliveries of new air are coordinated

by the Program Administrator.

Cleaning, Maintenance and Change Schedules

and Storage

Cleaning

- Respirators are to be regularly cleaned and disinfected at the designated respirator cleaning station located in the employee locker room.

- Respirators issued for the exclusive use of a employee are to be cleaned as often as necessary,

but at least once a day for workers in the Prep and

Assembly departments.

- Atmosphere-supplying and emergency use respirators are to be cleaned and disinfected after each

use.

• The following procedure is to be used when cleaning and disinfecting respirators:

- Disassemble respirator, removing any filters, canisters, or cartridges.

- Wash the facepiece and associated parts in a mild

detergent with warm water. Do not use organic

solvents.

- Rinse completely in clean warm water.

- Wipe the respirator with disinfectant wipes (70%

Isopropyl Alcohol) to kill germs.

- Air dry in a clean area.

- Reassemble the respirator and replace any defective parts.

- Place in a clean, dry plastic bag or other airtight

container.

• Note: The Program Administrator will ensure an adequate supply of appropriate cleaning and disinfection material at the cleaning station. If supplies are

low, employees should contact their supervisor, who

will inform the Program Administrator.

Maintenance

• Respirators are to be properly maintained at all

times to ensure that they function properly and adequately protect the employee. 

• Maintenance involves a thorough visual inspection

for cleanliness and defects. 

• Worn or deteriorated parts will be replaced prior to

use. 

• No components will be replaced or repairs made beyond those recommended by the manufacturer. 

• Repairs to regulators or alarms of atmospheresupplying respirators will be conducted by the 

manufacturer.

• The following checklist will be used when inspecting

respirators:

- Facepiece:

n cracks, tears, or holes

n facemask distortion

n cracked or loose lenses/faceshield

- Valves:

n Residue or dirt

n Cracks or tears in valve material

- Headstraps:

n breaks or tears

n broken buckles

- Filters/Cartridges:

n approval designation

n gaskets

n cracks or dents in housing

n proper cartridge for hazard

- Air Supply Systems:

n breathing air quality/grade

n condition of supply hoses

n hose connections

n settings on regulators and valves

• Employees are permitted to leave their work area

and go to a designated area that is free of respiratory hazards when they need to wash their face and

respirator facepiece to prevent any eye or skin irritation, or to replace the filter, cartridge or canister, or

when they detect vapor or gas breakthrough or

leakage in the facepiece or detect any other damage

to the respirator or its components.

Change Schedules

- Employees wearing APRs or PAPRs with P100 filters for protection against wood dust and other

particulates need to change the cartridges on their

respirators when they first begin to experience difficulty breathing (i.e., resistance) while wearing

their masks.
110

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

- Based on discussions with our respirator distributor about ____________________________’s workplace exposure conditions, employees voluntarily

wearing APRs with organic vapor cartridges must

change the cartridges on their respirators at the

end of each work week to ensure the continued 

effectiveness of the respirators.

Storage

• Respirators must be stored in a clean, dry area, and

in accord with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Each employee will clean and inspect their own airpurifying respirator in accord with the provisions of

this program, and will store their respirator in a plastic bag in their own locker. 

• Each employee will have his/her name on the bag,

and that bag will only be used to store that employee’s respirator.

• Atmosphere-supplying respirators will be stored in

the storage cabinet outside of the Program Administrator’s office.

• The Program Administrator will store _____________

__________________’s supply of respirators and respirator components in their original manufacturer’s

packaging in the equipment storage room.

Defective Respirators

• Respirators that are defective or have defective parts

must be taken out of service immediately. 

• If, during an inspection, an employee discovers a 

defect in a respirator, he/she is to bring the defect to

the attention of his or her supervisor. 

• Supervisors will give all defective respirators to the

Program Administrator. 

• The Program Administrator will decide whether to:

- Temporarily take the respirator out of service until

it can be repaired.

- Perform a simple fix on the spot such as replacing

a headstrap. 

- Dispose of the respirator due to an irreparable

problem or defect.

• When a respirator is taken out of service, the respirator will be tagged out of service, and the employee

will be given a replacement of the same make,

model and size. 

• If the employee is not given a replacement of the

same make, model and size, then the employee

must be fit tested.

• All tagged out-of-service respirators will be kept in

the storage cabinet inside the Program Administrator’s office.

Training

• The Program Administrator will provide training to

respirator users and their supervisors on the contents of the ____________________________ Respiratory Protection Program and their responsibilities

under it, and on the OSHA Respiratory Protection

standard. 

• Workers will be trained prior to using a respirator in

the workplace. 

• The training must be comprehensive, understandable and recur annually, and more often if necessary.

• As with any employee, supervisors must be trained

prior to using a respirator in the workplace; they

also should be trained prior to supervising workers

who must wear respirators if the supervisors themselves do not use a respirator.

• Supervisors will provide the basic information on

respirators in Appendix D of the Respiratory Protection standard to employees who wear respirators

when not required by the employer to do so.

• Supervisors will ensure that each employee can

demonstrate knowledge of at least the following:

Why the respirator is necessary and how improper

fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;

What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;

How to use the respirator effectively in emergency

situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;

How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check

the seals of the respirator;

What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;

How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that

may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators;

and

The general requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard.

• Supervisors will ensure that employees will be retrained annually or as needed (e.g., if they change

departments and need to use a different respirator). 

An employer who is able to demonstrate that a new

employee has received training within the last 12

months that addresses the elements specified in
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paragraph (k)(1)(i) through (vii) is not required to repeat such training provided that, as required by

paragraph (k)(1), the employee can demonstrate

knowledge of those element(s). 

Previous training not repeated initially by the employer must be provided no later than 12 months

from the date of the previous training.

Retraining shall be administered annually, and when

the following situations occur:

Changes in the workplace or the type of respirator

render previous training obsolete;

Inadequacies in the employee’s knowledge or use

of the respirator indicate that the worker has not

retained the requisite understanding or skill; or

Any other situation arises in which retraining appears necessary to ensure safe respirator use.

The basic advisory information on respirators, as

presented in Appendix D of the Respiratory Protection standard, shall be provided by the employer in

any written or oral format to employees who wear

respirators when such use is not required by this

section or by the employer.

5. Program Evaluation

• The Program Administrator will conduct periodic

evaluations of the workplace to ensure that the provisions of this program are being implemented. 

• The evaluations will include regular consultations

with employees who use respirators and their supervisors, site inspections, air monitoring and a review of records.

• List factors to be evaluated (see (l)(2).)

• Problems identified will be noted in an inspection

log and corrected by the Program Administrator. 

• These findings will be reported to _________________

management, and the report will list plans to correct

deficiencies in the respirator program and target

dates for implementing those corrections.

6. Documentation and Recordkeeping

• A written copy of this program and the OSHA 

standard is kept in the Program Administrator’s

office and is available to all employees who wish to

review it.

• Also maintained in the Program Administrator’s

office are copies of training materials. 

• Copies of fit test records (see (m)(2) of the

standard). These records will be updated as new fit

tests are conducted.

• These records will be updated as new employees

are trained and as existing employees receive 

refresher training.

• The Program Administrator will also maintain copies

of the records for all employees covered under the

respirator program (except medical records). 

• The completed medical questionnaire and the

PLHCP's documented findings are confidential and

will remain at ____________________________. The

company will only retain the physician’s written 

recommendation regarding each employee’s ability

to wear a respirator.

Table 3: A list of __________________________ employees currently included in the medical surveillance program.

Date of Listing.

Name of first employee _________________________________________________ Date___________________

Second name __________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Next name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________

Last name_____________________________________________________________ Date___________________
112

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Attachment 5: 

NIOSH MultiVapor Information

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) announced new computer software that

enables administrators of workplace respiratory protection programs to consider the effects of relative humidity on the service life of NIOSH-approved organic vapor

(OV) chemical cartridges. This software assists program

administrators, in workplaces where air-purifying respirators are used, in reducing on-the-job respiratory exposures to potentially harmful organic vapors from a

single volatile source, such as an individual paint, thinner, or solvent.

The ambient relative humidity in the environment in

which an air-purifying respirator is used or stored is one

of the factors that, over time, can cause the sorbent in a

cartridge to lose its ability to collect organic vapors

from the air breathed in through the cartridge. Collecting the vapors removes them from the air that the respirator user breathes into his or her body. Advances in

computational capabilities of personal computers, and

verification of the mathematical model through recent

research, made possible the addition of this critical factor to the software program that was not included in

previous government versions.

The new software program also incorporates factors

that were used in previous computer software available

from the government. Those factors include, for example, the type of air contaminant against which the

chemical cartridge will protect the user, the concentration of the contaminant, the parameters of the cartridge

and the rate at which the user is working. 

By using the software, a respirator program administrator can determine when the cartridge is likely to reach

the end of its service life or effectiveness; this is the

point at which “breakthrough” is likely to occur as the

sorbent no longer is able to collect organic vapors at

the needed capacity. With that information, the administrator will know when to schedule a replacement of

the cartridge.

“Especially in situations when the use of air-purifying

respirators may be necessary for hours, knowing when

to change the organic vapor cartridge is critical for

keeping the user safe and healthy,” said NIOSH Director

John Howard, M.D. “By adding in a key factor that was

not included in previous government software, program administrators can feel more confident in the

schedules they set for changing cartridges.”

The new computer software reflects the concept of government leadership through collaboration with diverse

technical organizations. The software resulted from research conducted by Los Alamos National Laboratory

(LANL), in conjunction with a partnership by NIOSH,

LANL, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the

Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association

(SOCMA), the National Paint and Coatings Association

(NPCA), and the American Petroleum Institute (API), organized and led by ORC Worldwide. The consortium

provided funding for the initial research and then joined

with NIOSH, which provided funding necessary to 

complete the work.

The NIOSH website for calculating end of service 

indicators for organics, called “MultiVapor,”can be accessed at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/multivapor/ 

multivapor.html.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

113

Attachment 6: 

NIOSH Tables of Cartridges and Canisters by APFs (Modified to OSHA APFs)

Table 1: Particulate Respirators

Assigned protection1 factor Type of Respirator

5 Quarter mask respirator

10 Any air-purifying elastomeric half mask respirator equipped 

with appropriate type of particulate filter.2

Appropriate filtering facepiece respirator.2,3

Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with 

appropriate type of particulate filter.2

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator 

equipped with a half mask. 

25 Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a loose-fitting 

hood or helmet and a high efficiency (HEPA) filter. 

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a 

hood or helmet.

50 Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with 

N-100, R-100, or P-100 filter(s).4

Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting 

facepiece (half or full facepiece) and a high-efficiency filter.

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator equipped 

with a full facepiece.

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a 

tight-fitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).

Any negative pressure (pressure demand) self-contained respirator 

equipped with a half or full facepiece.

1,000 Any pressure-demand, or other positive pressure mode, 

supplied-air respirator equipped with a full facepiece

Any powered air-purifying respirator with helmet or hood for which 

the employer has provided evidence provided by the respirator 

manufacturer that testing of these respirators demonstrates 

performance at a level of protection of 1,000 or greater.

10,000 Any pressure-demand, or other positive pressure mode selfcontained respirator equipped with a full facepiece.

Any pressure-demand self contained breathing apparatus 

respirator equipped with a full facepiece helmet or hood.

1 The protection offered by a given respirator is contingent upon (1) the respirator user adhering to complete program requirements

(such as the ones required by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910.134), (2) the use of NIOSH-certified respirators in their approved configuration, and

(3) individual fit testing to rule out those respirators that cannot achieve a good fit on individual workers. 

2 “Appropriate” means that the filter medium will provide protection against the particulate in question. See step 4.0 for information on

the presence or absence of oil particulates.

3 An APF of 10 can only be achieved if the respirator is qualitatively or quantitatively fit tested on individual workers.

4 N, P, and R series: Since 1995, NIOSH has been approving three series of particle-filtering respirators, designated N, R and P. Within

each series, three levels of efficiency in removing the laboratory test aerosols are certified: 95%, 99% and 99.97%. N-series filters are not

required to demonstrate resistance to the potentially “degrading” effects of oils, and are, therefore, not intended for use in workplace 

atmospheres that contain oily aerosols. In this context, “degrading” means that exposure to an agent may cause an increase in filter

penetration measured under laboratory test conditions. R and P series filters must demonstrate oil resistance when tested with dioctyl

phthalate (DOP), which is described as a “highly degrading” oil aerosol. As a result both R and P filters can be used in workplace 

atmospheres that contain oily aerosols, as well as those that do not. In other cases, NIOSH-certified electret filters are necessary since

the filtering efficiency of respiratory protection may be degraded by electrical charges. Electret filters consist of electrically charged

fibers, such as polymer fibers, and they are widely used in particulate respirators. The charges enhance their filtration efficiency, 

particularly for submicrometer aerosols, without a corresponding increase in pressure drop across the filter. Electret filters can be N, 

P, R filters across all of the filtering efficiencies of 95% through 99.97%.
114

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Table 2: Gas/Vapor Respirators

Assigned protection1 factor Type of Respirator

10 Any air-purifying half mask respirator equipped with appropriate 

gas/vapor cartridges.2

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator equipped 

with a half mask.

25 Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting hood or 

helmet equipped with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges.2

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a hood 

or helmet.

50 Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with appropriate 

gas/vapor cartridges2 or gas mask (canister respirator).2

Any powered air-purifying respirator equipped with a tight-fitting 

facepiece (half facepiece) and appropriate gas/vapor cartridges or 

canisters.2

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator equipped 

with a full facepiece.

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a tightfitting facepiece (half facepiece).

Any negative pressure (pressure demand) self-contained respirator 

equipped with a half facepiece.

1,000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped with a half 

or full facepiece.

10,000 Any pressure-demand self-contained respirator equipped with a 

full facepiece.

Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped with a full 

facepiece in combination with an auxiliary pressure-demand selfcontained breathing apparatus.

1 The protection offered by a given respirator is contingent upon (1) the respirator user adhering to complete program requirements

(such as the ones required by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910.134), (2) the use of NIOSH-certified respirators in their approved configuration, and

(3) individual fit testing to rule out those respirators that cannot achieve a good fit on individual workers. 

2 Select a cartridge/canister certified to be used for the specific class of chemicals or the specific gas/vapor found in your workplace.
S M A L L E N T I TY C O M P L I A N C E G U I D E F O R T H E 

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

115

Table 3: Combination Gas/Vapor and Particulate Respirators 

Assigned protection1 factor Type of Respirator

10 Any air-purifying half mask respirator equipped with appropriate 

gas/vapor cartridges2 in combination with appropriate type of 

particulate filter.3

Any full facepiece respirator with appropriate gas/vapor cartridges2

in combination with appropriate type of particulate filter.3

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator equipped 

with a half mask.

25 Any powered air-purifying respirator with a loose-fitting hood or 

helmet that is equipped with an appropriate gas/vapor cartridge2 in 

combination with a high-efficiency particulate filter.

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a hood 

or helmet.

50 Any air-purifying full facepiece respirator equipped with appropriate 

gas/vapor cartridges2 in combination with an N-100, R-100 or P-100 

filter or an appropriate canister2 incorporating an N-100, P-100 or 

R-100 filter.

Any powered air-purifying respirator with a tight-fitting facepiece 

(half or full facepiece) equipped with appropriate gas/vapor 

cartridges2 in combination with a high-efficiency filter or an 

appropriate canister2 incorporating a high-efficiency filter.

Any negative pressure (demand) supplied-air respirator equipped 

with a full facepiece.

Any continuous flow supplied-air respirator equipped with a tightfitting facepiece (half or full facepiece).

Any negative pressure (demand) self-contained respirator equipped 

with a full facepiece. 

1,000 Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped with a half 

or full mask.

10,000 Any pressure-demand self-contained respirator equipped with a 

full facepiece. 

Any pressure-demand supplied-air respirator equipped with a full 

facepiece in combination with an auxiliary pressure-demand selfcontained breathing apparatus.

1 The protection offered by a given respirator is contingent upon (1) the respirator user adhering to complete program requirements

(such as the ones required by OSHA in 29 CFR 1910.134), (2) the use of NIOSH-certified respirators in their approved configuration, and

(3) individual fit testing to rule out those respirators that cannot achieve a good fit on individual workers. 

2 Select a cartridge/canister certified to be used for the specific class of chemicals or the specific gas/vapor found in your workplace.

3 “Appropriate” means that the filter medium will provide protection against the particulate in question. 

NIOSH publication 2005-100, Respirator Selection.
116

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration

Complaints, Emergencies 

and Further Assistance

Workers have the right to a safe workplace. The 

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH

Act) was passed to prevent workers from being killed

or seriously harmed at work. The law requires 

employers to provide their employees with working

conditions that are free of known dangers. Workers

may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their

workplace if they believe that their employer is not

following OSHA standards or that there are serious

hazards. Further, the Act gives complainants the right

to request that their names not be revealed to their

employers. It is also against the law for an employer

to fire, demote, transfer, or discriminate in any way

against a worker for filing a complaint or using other

OSHA rights.

To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek

OSHA advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 

321-OSHA (6742) or contact your nearest OSHA 

regional, area, or state plan office listed or linked 

to at the end of this publication. The teletypewriter

(TTY) number is (877) 889-5627. You can also file 

a complaint online by visiting OSHA’s website at

www.osha.gov. Most complaints submitted online

may be resolved informally over the phone or by 

fax with your employer. Written complaints, that 

are signed by a worker or their representative and 

submitted to the closest OSHA office, are more 

likely to result in an on-site OSHA inspection. 

Compliance Assistance Resources

OSHA can provide extensive help through a 

variety of programs, including free workplace 

consultations, compliance assistance, voluntary 

protection programs, strategic partnerships, 

alliances, and training and education. For more 

information on any of the programs listed below,

visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or call 

1-800-321-OSHA (6742). 

Establishing an Injury and Illness 

Prevention Program

The key to a safe and healthful work environment 

is a comprehensive injury and illness prevention 

program.

Injury and illness prevention programs, known by 

a variety of names, are universal interventions that

can substantially reduce the number and severity 

of workplace injuries and alleviate the associated 

financial burdens on U.S. workplaces. Many states

have requirements or voluntary guidelines for 

workplace injury and illness prevention programs. In

addition, numerous employers in the United States

already manage safety using injury and illness 

prevention programs, and we believe that all 

employers can and should do the same. Employers

in the construction industry are already required to

have a health and safety program. Most successful

injury and illness prevention programs are based 

on a common set of key elements. These include

management leadership, worker participation, 

hazard identification, hazard prevention and control,

education and training, and program evaluation 

and improvement. Visit OSHA’s website at

http://www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/safetyhealth/index.

html for more information and guidance on 

establishing effective injury and illness prevention

programs in the workplace.

Compliance Assistance Specialists

OSHA has compliance assistance specialists

throughout the nation who can provide information

to employers and workers about OSHA standards,

short educational programs on specific hazards or

OSHA rights and responsibilities, and information on

additional compliance assistance resources. Contact

your local OSHA office for more information. 

OSHA Consultation Service for 

Small Employers

The OSHA Consultation Service provides free 

assistance to small employers to help them identify

and correct hazards, and to improve their injury and

illness prevention programs. Most of these services

are delivered on site by state government agencies

or universities using well-trained professional staff.

Consultation services are available to private sector

employers. Priority is given to small employers 

with the most hazardous operations or in the most

high-hazard industries. These programs are largely

funded by OSHA and are delivered at no cost to 

employers who request help. Consultation services

are separate from enforcement activities. To request

such services, an employer can phone or write to the

OSHA Consultation Program. See the Small 

Business section of OSHA’s website for contact 

information for the consultation offices in every

state.

n Safety and Health Achievement 

Recognition Program

Under the consultation program, certain 

exemplary employers may request participation

in OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement 
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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

117

Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for 

participation includes, but is not limited to, 

receiving a full-service, comprehensive 

consultation visit, correcting all identified hazards,

and developing an effective injury and illness 

prevention program.

Cooperative Programs

OSHA offers cooperative programs to help prevent

fatalities, injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

n OSHA’s Alliance Program

Through the Alliance Program, OSHA works with

groups committed to worker safety and health 

to prevent workplace fatalities, injuries, and 

illnesses. These groups include businesses, trade

or professional organizations, unions, consulates,

faith- and community-based organizations, and

educational institutions. OSHA and the groups

work together to develop compliance assistance

tools and resources, share information with 

workers and employers, and educate workers and

employers about their rights and responsibilities. 

n Challenge Program

This program helps employers and workers 

improve their injury and illness prevention 

programs and implement an effective system to

prevent fatalities, injuries and illnesses.

n OSHA Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP)

Partnerships are formalized through tailored

agreements designed to encourage, assist and

recognize partner efforts to eliminate serious 

hazards and achieve model workplace safety and

health practices.

n Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)

The VPP recognize employers and workers 

in private industry and federal agencies who 

have implemented effective injury and illness 

prevention programs and maintain injury and 

illness rates below national Bureau of Labor 

Statistics averages for their respective industries.

In VPP, management, labor, and OSHA work 

cooperatively and proactively to prevent fatalities,

injuries, and illnesses.

OSHA Training Institute 

Education Centers

The OSHA Training Institute (OTI) Education Centers

are a national network of nonprofit organizations 

authorized by OSHA to conduct occupational safety

and health training to private sector workers, 

supervisors and employers. 

Susan Harwood Training and 

Education Grants

OSHA provides grants to nonprofit organizations to

provide worker education and training on serious

job hazards and avoidance/prevention strategies.

Information and Publications

OSHA has a variety of educational materials 

and electronic tools available on its website at

www.osha.gov. These include Safety and Health 

Topics Pages, Safety Fact Sheets, Expert Advisor

software, copies of regulations and compliance 

directives, videos and other information for 

employers and workers. OSHA’s software programs

and eTools walk you through safety and health 

issues and common problems to find the best 

solutions for your workplace.

OSHA’s extensive publications help explain OSHA

standards, job hazards, and mitigation strategies 

and provide assistance in developing effective injury

and illness prevention programs.

For a listing of free publications, visit OSHA’s 

website at www.osha.gov or call 1-800-321-OSHA

(6742).

QuickTakes

OSHA’s free, twice-monthly online newsletter, 

QuickTakes, offers the latest news about OSHA 

initiatives and products to assist employers and

workers in finding and preventing workplace 

hazards. To sign up for QuickTakes, visit OSHA’s

website at www.osha.gov and click on QuickTakes

at the top of the page.

Contacting OSHA

To order additional copies of this publication, to get 

a list of other OSHA publications, to ask questions 

or to get more information, to contact OSHA’s 

free consultation service, or to file a confidential

complaint, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742),

(TTY) 1-877-889-5627 or visit www.osha.gov.

For assistance, contact us.

We are OSHA. We can help.

It’s confidential.
OSHA Regional Offices

Region I

Boston Regional Office

(CT*, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*) 

JFK Federal Building, Room E340

Boston, MA 02203

(617) 565-9860 (617) 565-9827 Fax 

Region II

New York Regional Office

(NJ*, NY*, PR*, VI*)

201 Varick Street, Room 670

New York, NY 10014

(212) 337-2378 (212) 337-2371 Fax

Region III

Philadelphia Regional Office

(DE, DC, MD*, PA, VA*, WV)

The Curtis Center

170 S. Independence Mall West

Suite 740 West

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309

(215) 861-4900 (215) 861-4904 Fax

Region IV

Atlanta Regional Office

(AL, FL, GA, KY*, MS, NC*, SC*, TN*)

61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50

Atlanta, GA 30303

(678) 237-0400 (678) 237-0447 Fax 

Region V

Chicago Regional Office

(IL*, IN*, MI*, MN*, OH, WI)

230 South Dearborn Street 

Room 3244

Chicago, IL 60604

(312) 353-2220 (312) 353-7774 Fax

Region VI

Dallas Regional Office

(AR, LA, NM*, OK, TX)

525 Griffin Street, Room 602

Dallas, TX 75202

(972) 850-4145 (972) 850-4149 Fax

(972) 850-4150 FSO Fax

Region VII

Kansas City Regional Office

(IA*, KS, MO, NE)

Two Pershing Square Building

2300 Main Street, Suite 1010

Kansas City, MO 64108-2416

(816) 283-8745 (816) 283-0547 Fax

Region VIII

Denver Regional Office

(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT*, WY*)

1999 Broadway, Suite 1690

Denver, CO 80202-5716

(720) 264-6550 (720) 264-6585 Fax

Region IX

San Francisco Regional Office

(AZ*, CA*, HI*, NV*, and American Samoa, 

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands)

90 7th Street, Suite 18100

San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 625-2547 (415) 625-2534 Fax

Region X

Seattle Regional Office

(AK*, ID, OR*, WA*)

1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715

Seattle, WA 98101-3212

(206) 553-5930 (206) 553-6499 Fax

*These states and territories operate their own

OSHA-approved job safety and health plans and

cover state and local government employees as 

well as private sector employees. The Connecticut,

Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Virgin Islands

programs cover public employees only. (Private 

sector workers in these states are covered by Federal

OSHA). States with approved programs must have

standards that are identical to, or at least as effective

as, the Federal OSHA standards.

Note: To get contact information for OSHA area 

offices, OSHA-approved state plan offices and OSHA

consultation projects, please visit us online at

www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).

118

Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration
Notes

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RESPIRATORY PROTECTION STANDARD

119
Notes
(800) 321-OSHA (6742)
U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

For more information: 

Occupational

Safety and Health

Administration