1910.134(k)(6): Information for Voluntary Respirator Users
Employers must give workers who wear respirators voluntarily, when the standard or the employer does not require it, the basic advisory information in Appendix D of the respiratory protection standard. It may be provided in any written or oral format.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(k)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 533 times in the last 3 years, in 533 inspections, with $91,069 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: NY (62), PA (41), FL (41).
- Related part: 1910.134(k) Training and information (1,842 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(k)(6) 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
(6) The basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in appendix D of this section, shall be provided by the employer in any written or oral format, to employees who wear respirators when such use is not required by this section or by the employer. 533 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(k)(6).
At 7:00 p.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 entered a grain bin while operating an auger and became caught in the sweep auger. The employee 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 34 |
| 2024 | 215 |
| 2025 | 160 |
| 2026 | 124 |
Top states: NY (62), PA (41), FL (41), IL (40), OH (39)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| STAFF MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC | MILFORD, PA | $10,500 |
| NORTH AMERICAN PACKAGING LLC | MILFORD, PA | $9,800 |
| RESOURCE EMPLOYMENT SOLUTIONS | MILFORD, PA | $9,500 |
| DIVERZIFY+ LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 |
| THERM-O-ROCK WEST | CHANDLER, AZ | $3,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(k)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(k)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(k) Training and information 1,842 citations
- 1910.134(k)(1) 489 citations
- 1910.134(k)(3) 197 citations
- 1910.134(k)(5) 71 citations
- 1910.134(k)(1)(i) 22 citations
- 1910.134(k)(1)(v) 13 citations
- 1910.134(k)(5)(ii) 3 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
Who must receive Appendix D information?
Employees who wear respirators when such use is not required by the standard or by the employer.
Must Appendix D be given in writing?
No. It may be provided in any written or oral format.
What is Appendix D?
The basic advisory information on respirators presented in Appendix D of 1910.134.
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.