1910.134(e)(4)(i): Confidential Respirator Medical Evaluation
Employers must give the respirator medical questionnaire and exams confidentially, during the employee's normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee. The questionnaire must be given in a way that makes sure the employee understands it.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(e)(4)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $2,954 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (6), PA (5), VA (2).
- Related part: 1910.134(e) Medical evaluation (2,653 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(e)(4)(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 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. 16 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (6), PA (5), VA (2), IN (1), OR (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC. | SANGERFIELD, NY | $1,594 |
| HEARTLAND FIREPROOFING, LLC | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $1,360 |
| LAUREL VALLEY FARMS | LANDENBERG, PA | $0 |
| EUREKA RESOURCES, LLC | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $0 |
| FORRESTER ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. | DANVILLE, PA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(e)(4)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(e)(4)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(e) Medical evaluation 2,653 citations
- 1910.134(e)(1) General 2,526 citations
- 1910.134(e)(6) Medical determination 52 citations
- 1910.134(e)(6)(i) 52 citations
- 1910.134(e)(2) Medical evaluation procedures 22 citations
- 1910.134(e)(4) Administration of the medical questionnaire and examinations 19 citations
- 1910.134(e)(2)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.134(e)(7) Additional medical evaluations 17 citations
- 1910.134(e)(7)(ii) 11 citations
- 1910.134(e)(5) Supplemental information for the PLHCP 10 citations
- 1910.134(e)(5)(i) 6 citations
- 1910.134(e)(3) Follow-up medical examination 5 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
When must the medical questionnaire be given?
During normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee.
Is the medical evaluation confidential?
Yes. The questionnaire and examinations must be administered confidentially.
What if I do not understand the questions?
It must be administered in a manner that ensures you understand its content.
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.