1926.62(f): Lead Respiratory Protection
Employers must provide an appropriate respirator to each employee who needs one under the lead standard, and respirators must be used when exposure exceeds the PEL, when controls are not enough, when an employee requests one, or for interim protection. Employers must run a respirator program, provide a medical exam for breathing difficulty, supply full facepieces for irritating lead aerosols, use HEPA filters, and provide a PAPR when an employee chooses one and it gives adequate protection.
Key takeaways
- 1926.62(f) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 16 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $22,210 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (3), NY (3), VA (3).
- Related part: 1926.62(f)(2) Respirator program (11 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.62(f) ("Respiratory protection") is one requirement inside 1926.62 Lead, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It includes 14 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
(f) Respiratory protection — 16 citations
(1) General. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate respirator that complies with the requirements of this paragraph. Respirators must be used during: 3 citations
(i) Periods when an employee's exposure to lead exceeds the PEL. 1 citations
(ii) Work operations for which engineering and work-practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the PEL.
(iii) Periods when an employee requests a respirator.
(iv) Periods when respirators are required to provide interim protection of employees while they perform the operations specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section. 1 citations
(2) Respirator program. Open (f)(2) 11 citations
(i) The employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with § 1910.134(b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m), which covers each employee required by this section to use a respirator. Open (f)(2)(i) 11 citations
(ii) If an employee has breathing difficulty during fit testing or respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical examination in accordance with paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section to determine whether or not the employee can use a respirator while performing the required duty.
(3) Respirator selection. 2 citations
(i) Employers must: 2 citations
(A) Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirators specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134. 1 citations
(B) Provide employees with a full facepiece respirator instead of a half mask respirator for protection against lead aerosols that may cause eye or skin irritation at the use concentrations.
(C) Provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators. 1 citations
(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator when an employee chooses to use such a respirator and it will provide adequate protection to the employee.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.62.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: MI (3), NY (3), VA (3), PA (2), CT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DR COLORS LLC | PROVIDENCE, RI | $8,595 |
| 68870 - MIDWEST PRO PAINTING, INC. | LOUISVILLE, KY | $3,920 |
| HOUSES PAINTING AND MORE LLC | STAUNTON, VA | $3,075 |
| RUIZ & R LLC | WINCHESTER, VA | $3,070 |
| DIMITRI PAINTING CORP | CENTRAL ISLIP, NY | $2,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.62(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Enforcement policy for abrasive-blasting respiratory protection under the Lead in Construction Interim Final Rule. (1998-12-08)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.62(f)(2) Respirator program 11 citations
- 1926.62(f)(2)(i) 11 citations
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Frequently asked questions
When must respirators be used for lead?
When exposure exceeds the PEL, when controls are not sufficient, when an employee requests one, and for interim protection during paragraph (d)(2) tasks.
Can a worker ask for a respirator?
Yes. Respirators must be used during periods when an employee requests a respirator.
What filters are required for air-purifying respirators?
HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.62 (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.