1910.134(g)(1)(i): No Facial Hair or Seal Problems with Tight-Fitting Respirators
Employers must not allow workers to wear respirators with tight-fitting facepieces if they have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface and the face or interferes with the valves. The same applies to any other condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 605 times in the last 3 years, in 594 inspections, with $806,982 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (44), MI (41), IL (40).
- Related part: 1910.134(g) Use of respirators (678 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 2 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
(i) The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have: 605 citations
(A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or Open (g)(1)(i)(a) 523 citations
(B) Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function. Open (g)(1)(i)(b) 23 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(g)(1)(i).
At 12:00 a.m. on August 29, 2024, Employee #1, a material handler at a steel fabrication facility, was taking his morning break in the breakroom. Upon returning to work after the break, he began complaining of trouble breathing andchest pain. He called 911, and a…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 247 |
| 2025 | 190 |
| 2026 | 134 |
Top states: TN (44), MI (41), IL (40), NC (39), OH (32)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CRASH CHAMPIONS COLLISION REPAIR | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $53,500 |
| STRATEGIC MATERIALS, INC | MIDLOTHIAN, TX | $42,000 |
| CRASH CHAMPIONS, LLC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $35,466 |
| CALIBER HOLDINGS LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $35,465 |
| CRASH CHAMPIONS COLLISION REPAIR INGRAM | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $23,045 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(g)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Facial hair and respirator fit (2016-05-09)
- Clarification on firefighters with facial hair who enter IDLH atmospheres and use a self-contained breathing apparatus. (2011-04-01)
- Beards may not interfere with face seal;alternative respirators for bearded employees. (2003-03-07)
- Appropriateness of using Mag-1 Eyewear eyeglass holders with full facepiece respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). (1995-09-20)
- Use of the Racal "Breath-Easy 6" powered air purifying respirator with beards. (1993-07-27)
- Protection provided by powered air-purifying respirators. (1987-03-20)
- Hair where the mask edges meet the skin is not permitted for wearers of 30 minute positive pressure SCBA respirators. (1986-08-18)
- Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. (1985-11-26)
- Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. (1984-10-11)
- Workers cannot sign a release so they can wear a respirator with a beard. (1984-01-18)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(g) Use of respirators 678 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1) Facepiece seal protection 639 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) 523 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(iii) 28 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B) 23 citations
- 1910.134(g)(4) Procedures for interior structural firefighting 19 citations
- 1910.134(g)(3) Procedures for IDLH atmospheres 14 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(ii) 6 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Does this mean all facial hair is banned?
No. It applies to facial hair that comes between the facepiece sealing surface and the face or that interferes with valve function.
What other conditions count?
Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal or valve function.
Does this apply to loose-fitting respirators?
This paragraph applies to respirators with tight-fitting facepieces.
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.