1910.134(e)(5): Information for the Respirator Medical Evaluator
Employers must give the PLHCP the respirator type and weight, duration and frequency of use, expected work effort, other protective gear, and temperature and humidity extremes before a recommendation is made. They must also give a copy of the written program and the respirator rule, and make sure a new PLHCP gets this information.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(e)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 8 inspections, with $19,880 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (4), NJ (3), NY (1).
- 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)(5) ("Supplemental information for the PLHCP") is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 8 sub-paragraphs. 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
(5) Supplemental information for the PLHCP. 10 citations
(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: Open (e)(5)(i) 6 citations
(A) The type and weight of the respirator to be used by the employee; 2 citations
(B) The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for rescue and escape);
(C) The expected physical work effort; 1 citations
(D) Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn; and
(E) Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered.
(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.
(iii) The employer shall provide the PLHCP with a copy of the written respiratory protection program and a copy of this section. Open (e)(5)(iii) 4 citations
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.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: CT (4), NJ (3), NY (1), MI (1), NV (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MIDDLEBUSH VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | SOMERSET, NJ | $12,600 |
| BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN | OLD TAPPAN, NJ | $7,000 |
| TOWN OF BLOOMFIELD | BLOOMFIELD, CT | $280 |
| TOWN OF STRATFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT | STRATFORD, CT | $0 |
| SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY | HAMDEN, CT | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(e)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether the respiratory protection medical evaluation may consider factors beyond respirator use (2025-08-01)
- Respiratory protection medical evaluations: additional evaluations; use of employee's physician; testing; medical removal; and confidentiality. (2004-10-21)
- Use of skin diving hood under respirator for bearded employee unacceptable. (1982-02-25)
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)(4)(i) 16 citations
- 1910.134(e)(7)(ii) 11 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
What must the PLHCP be told?
Respirator type and weight, duration and frequency of use, expected physical effort, other protective clothing, and temperature and humidity extremes.
Must the written program be shared?
Yes. The PLHCP gets a copy of the written program and of 1910.134.
Are employees reevaluated when the PLHCP changes?
OSHA does not expect reevaluation solely because a new PLHCP was selected.
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.