1910.134(d)(1)(i): Choosing the Right Respirator
Employers must choose and provide a respirator that fits the breathing hazard workers face. The choice must also account for workplace and user factors that affect how well and how reliably the respirator works.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(d)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 88 times in the last 3 years, in 88 inspections, with $297,748 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (7), VA (6), CO (6).
- Related part: 1910.134(d) Selection of respirators (573 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(d)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(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. 88 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(d)(1)(i).
At 8:30 a.m. on May 7, 2024, Employee #1 was preparing to sand an epoxy patch when they exited the area, reporting difficulty breathing. The employee collapsed shortly afterward. Despite immediate attention, the employee later died from a severe asthma attack. The cause of the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 29 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Top states: TX (7), VA (6), CO (6), GA (6), AK (6)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TRIMAC TRANSPORTATION INC. | BEAUMONT, TX | $119,246 |
| MINERS' COLFAX MEDICAL CENTER | RATON, NM | $16,554 |
| STAR GRANITE & BRONZE INTERNATIONAL, INC. | ELBERTON, GA | $12,445 |
| BIO-LAB, INC. | CONYERS, GA | $11,823 |
| COLONIAL PARKING, INC. | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,108 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(d)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Beards may not interfere with face seal;alternative respirators for bearded employees. (2003-03-07)
- Selection of air purifying respirators for gases and vapors with poor warning properties (diisocyanates) (2000-07-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(d) Selection of respirators 573 citations
- 1910.134(d)(1) General requirements 477 citations
- 1910.134(d)(1)(iii) 312 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3) Respirators for atmospheres that are not IDLH 86 citations
- 1910.134(d)(1)(ii) 74 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3)(iii) 53 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3)(iii)(B) 52 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3)(i) 28 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(B) Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) 16 citations
- 1910.134(d)(2) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres 10 citations
- 1910.134(d)(2)(i) 9 citations
- 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A) Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) 3 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who picks the respirator a worker uses?
The employer must select and provide it under 1910.134(d)(1)(i).
What must the respirator choice be based on?
The respiratory hazard the worker is exposed to, plus workplace and user factors that affect respirator performance and reliability.
Can any respirator be used for any job?
No. The respirator must be appropriate for the specific respiratory hazard.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.134 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.