1910.1025(f): Respirators for Lead Exposure
Employers must provide an appropriate respirator to each employee who must use one under the lead standard, during installation of controls, when controls cannot reduce exposure to or below the PEL, and when an employee asks for one. They must run a respiratory protection program under 1910.134, provide medical exams for breathing difficulty, use full facepieces for irritating aerosols, provide HEPA filters, and provide a PAPR when chosen and adequate.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 23 times in the last 3 years, in 21 inspections, with $67,448 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (5), FL (3), WI (3).
- Related part: 1910.1025(f)(2) Respirator program (17 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(f) ("Respiratory protection") is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 13 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 — 23 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: 2 citations
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement engineering or work-practice controls.
(ii) Work operations for which engineering and work-practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the permissible exposure limit. 1 citations
(iii) Periods when an employee requests a respirator.
(2) Respirator program. Open (f)(2) 17 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) 17 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)(C) of this section to determine whether or not the employee can use a respirator while performing the required duty. Open (f)(2)(ii)
(3) Respirator selection. 4 citations
(i) Employers must: 4 citations
(A) Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirators specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134. 2 citations
(B) Provide employees with full facepiece respirators instead of half mask respirators for protection against lead aerosols that cause eye or skin irritation at the use concentrations. 1 citations
(C) Provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators. 1 citations
(ii) Employers must provide employees with a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) instead of a negative pressure respirator selected according to paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this standard when an employee chooses to use a PAPR and it provides adequate protection to the employee as specified by paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this standard.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1025.
Export the list: 21 inspections cited 1910.1025(f) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: MI (5), FL (3), WI (3), CT (2), PA (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HANKOOK & COMPANY ES AMERICA CORP. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $25,000 |
| CTS CORPORATION | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $9,562 |
| AMDEP HOLDINGS LLC | KISSIMMEE, FL | $9,268 |
| HEARING PROTECTION LLC | WATERTOWN, WI | $4,635 |
| METALS AND ADDITIVES LLC | BRAZIL, IN | $4,500 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1025(f).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(f)(2) Respirator program 17 citations
- 1910.1025(f)(2)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.1025(f)(2)(ii)
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Frequently asked questions
When must respirators be used for lead?
While installing controls, when controls are not enough to reduce exposure to or below the PEL, and when an employee requests a respirator.
Can a worker get a PAPR instead?
Yes. The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator when the employee chooses one and it provides adequate protection.
What filters are required for air-purifying respirators?
HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1025 (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 2026-11-06
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.