1910.134(e)(7): Additional Respirator Medical Evaluations
Employers must provide additional respirator medical evaluations when an employee reports related medical signs or symptoms, when a PLHCP, supervisor or program administrator says reevaluation is needed, when program information such as fit testing shows a need, or when workplace conditions change in a way that may substantially increase the physical burden on the employee.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(e)(7) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 16 inspections, with $28,421 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (8), CT (3), OR (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)(7) ("Additional medical evaluations") is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 4 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
(7) Additional medical evaluations. At a minimum, the employer shall provide additional medical evaluations that comply with the requirements of this section if: 17 citations
(i) An employee reports medical signs or symptoms that are related to ability to use a respirator; 3 citations
(ii) A PLHCP, supervisor, or the respirator program administrator informs the employer that an employee needs to be reevaluated; Open (e)(7)(ii) 11 citations
(iii) Information from the respiratory protection program, including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation, indicates a need for employee reevaluation; or 2 citations
(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.
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 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: NY (8), CT (3), OR (2), IA (1), MD (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CLARIOS, LLC | RED OAK, IA | $9,000 |
| O & G INDUSTRIES, INC | BEACON FALLS, CT | $5,350 |
| FINGER LAKES AMBULANCE EMS, INC. | CLIFTON SPRINGS, NY | $4,840 |
| THE LAKEWOOD BRICK AND TILE COMPANY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $4,000 |
| DENNIE'S MANUFACTURING INC. | CANANDAIGUA, NY | $2,903 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(e)(7), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(e)(7).
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)(4)(i) 16 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 is a new respirator medical evaluation required?
When symptoms are reported, when a PLHCP, supervisor or program administrator says it is needed, when program information shows a need, or when work conditions change substantially.
Can a supervisor trigger a reevaluation?
Yes. A supervisor informing the employer that an employee needs reevaluation is one trigger.
What workplace changes count?
Changes such as physical work effort, protective clothing or temperature that may substantially increase the physiological burden on the employee.
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.