1910.134(l)(2): Asking Workers About the Respirator Program
Employers must regularly consult employees who must use respirators to get their views on program effectiveness and identify problems, and must correct any problems found. Factors to assess include respirator fit and the ability to work while wearing it, proper selection for the hazards, proper use under workplace conditions, and proper maintenance.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(l)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $7,739 in current penalties.
- Most citations: ME (3), OH (2), NV (1).
- Related part: 1910.134(l) Program evaluation (55 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(l)(2) 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
(2) The employer shall regularly consult employees required to use respirators to assess the employees' views on program effectiveness and to identify any problems. Any problems that are identified during this assessment shall be corrected. Factors to be assessed include, but are not limited to: 11 citations
(i) Respirator fit (including the ability to use the respirator without interfering with effective workplace performance); 1 citations
(ii) Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards to which the employee is exposed; 1 citations
(iii) Proper respirator use under the workplace conditions the employee encounters; and
(iv) Proper respirator maintenance.
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 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: ME (3), OH (2), NV (1), NM (1), NY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WAUPACA FOUNDRY, INC. | MARINETTE, WI | $7,739 |
| CAS DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC | SPARKS, NV | $0 |
| HCSG STAFF LEASING SOLUTIONS LLC | FARMINGTON, ME | $0 |
| CTS CORPORATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $0 |
| ADARE PHARMA SOLUTIONS DBA ADARE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. | VANDALIA, OH | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(l)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(l)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(l) Program evaluation 55 citations
- 1910.134(l)(1) 44 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
Must employers ask respirator users for feedback?
Yes. They must regularly consult employees required to use respirators.
What happens to problems found?
Any problems identified during the assessment must be corrected.
What factors are assessed?
Fit, appropriate selection for the hazards, proper use under workplace conditions, and proper maintenance, among others.
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 2026-10-22
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.