1910.134(i)(5): Breathing Air Compressors
Employers must make sure compressors that supply breathing air to respirators are built and placed to keep contaminated air out, keep moisture low so the dew point at 1 atmosphere is 10 degrees F below ambient, and have suitable in-line sorbent beds and filters maintained per the manufacturer. A tag at the compressor must show the most recent change date and the signature of the authorized person.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(i)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 31 inspections, with $20,403 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: PA (5), TN (4), TX (4).
- Related part: 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use (149 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(i)(5) 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
(5) The employer shall ensure that compressors used to supply breathing air to respirators are constructed and situated so as to: 34 citations
(i) Prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system; Open (i)(5)(i) 3 citations
(ii) Minimize moisture content so that the dew point at 1 atmosphere pressure is 10 degrees F (5.56 °C) below the ambient temperature; Open (i)(5)(ii)
(iii) Have suitable in-line air-purifying sorbent beds and filters to further ensure breathing air quality. Sorbent beds and filters shall be maintained and replaced or refurbished periodically following the manufacturer's instructions. 6 citations
(iv) Have a tag containing the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change. The tag shall be maintained at the compressor. Open (i)(5)(iv) 24 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(i)(5).
At 11:43 a.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 was spray painting aircraft parts while wearing a supplied air respirator. Nitrogen back flowed into the breathing air system, displacing oxygen and causing the employee to be asphyxiated. Employee #1 was fatally injured.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: PA (5), TN (4), TX (4), WI (4), KS (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PETERSEN INDUSTRIES, INC. | LAKE WALES, FL | $7,448 |
| POWER FLAME, INC | PARSONS, KS | $5,958 |
| BFR INVESTMENTS LLC | EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | $3,320 |
| SOONER COATING, LLC | CATOOSA, OK | $1,600 |
| BALIUS INDUSTRIAL, LLC | AXIS, AL | $1,277 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(i)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarifications for breathing air quality and use (2023-05-31)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use 149 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4) 43 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1) 34 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.134(i)(7) 30 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(iv) 24 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(i) 18 citations
- 1910.134(i)(8) 7 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(ii) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(i) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(A) 2 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(i)
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Frequently asked questions
What dew point is required for breathing air compressors?
At 1 atmosphere pressure, 10 degrees F (5.56 °C) below the ambient temperature.
What must the compressor tag show?
The most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change.
How are sorbent beds and filters maintained?
They must be maintained and replaced or refurbished periodically following the manufacturer's instructions.
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 2026-10-21
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.