1910.1052(g)(3)(i): Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators, No Half Masks
Employers must select and provide employees the appropriate atmosphere-supplying respirator specified in 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A). Employers must not select or use half masks of any type, because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1052(g)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $3,226 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.1052(g) Respiratory protection (10 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1052(g)(3)(i) is one requirement inside 1910.1052 Methylene chloride, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). 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
(i) Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate atmosphere-supplying respirator specified in paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134; however, employers must not select or use half masks of any type because MC may cause eye irritation or damage. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1052.
Export the list: 3 inspections cited 1910.1052(g)(3)(i) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moInjuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1052(g)(3)(i).
At 7:10 p.m. on October 29, 2024, an employee was scraping paint from a bathtub using a paint stripper containing 70-90% methylene chloride (Hoodstrip-888 Semi Paste Remover). The employee became unconscious due to inhaling methylene chloride vapors above the short-term exposure limit (STEL) and subsequently…
Where and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1052(g)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1052(g) Respiratory protection 10 citations
- 1910.1052(g)(3) Respirator selection 3 citations
- 1910.1052(g)(2)(i) 3 citations
- 1910.1052(g)(2) Respirator program 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What respirator must be provided?
The appropriate atmosphere-supplying respirator specified in 1910.134(d)(3)(i)(A).
Why are half masks banned?
Because methylene chloride may cause eye irritation or damage.
Does the ban cover all half masks?
Yes, half masks of any type must not be selected or used.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1052 (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.