1910.134(c)(1)(ix): Respirator Program Evaluation Procedures
Employers' written respiratory protection program must include procedures for regularly evaluating how effective the program is.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(c)(1)(ix) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $17,200 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (3), TX (2), IA (2).
- Related part: 1910.134(c) Respiratory protection program (4,071 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1)(ix) 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
(ix) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the program. 18 citations
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 | 4 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: NJ (3), TX (2), IA (2), NY (2), AK (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN | OLD TAPPAN, NJ | $7,000 |
| ROLL FORMER CORPORATION | CHALFONT, PA | $5,000 |
| WOODBURY HEIGHTS FIRE DEPARTMENT | WOODBURY HEIGHTS, NJ | $2,800 |
| G.A. WEST & CO., LLC | LOUDON, TN | $1,400 |
| KASON CORPORATION | MILLBURN, NJ | $1,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(c)(1)(ix), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(c)(1)(ix).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(c) Respiratory protection program 4,071 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1) 2,038 citations
- 1910.134(c)(2) 1,789 citations
- 1910.134(c)(2)(i) 838 citations
- 1910.134(c)(2)(ii) 781 citations
- 1910.134(c)(3) 83 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(ii) 56 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(iii) 31 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(viii) 20 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(v) 17 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(iv) 12 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
Does a respirator program need to be evaluated?
Yes. The written program must include procedures for regularly evaluating its effectiveness.
Where are these procedures found?
In the employer's written respiratory protection program.
How often is evaluation required by this paragraph?
The paragraph says regularly; it does not set a specific frequency.
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.