1910.134(c)(1)(viii): Respirator Program: Employee Training
The written respiratory protection program must include training employees in proper respirator use, including putting them on and taking them off, any limits on their use, and maintenance.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(c)(1)(viii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 20 times in the last 3 years, in 20 inspections, with $34,041 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IA (3), PR (3), NV (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)(viii) 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
(viii) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators, including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use, and their maintenance; and 20 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 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: IA (3), PR (3), NV (2), VA (2), CO (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MOUNTAIN MEADOWS LAMB CORPORATION | DENVER, CO | $9,646 |
| FERNANDES MASONRY INC. | NEEDHAM, MA | $9,041 |
| BAJA DESIGN, INC. | DENVER, CO | $3,902 |
| SI LEGACY FLOOR FINISHING INC | SPARKS, NV | $3,890 |
| CALIBER HOLDINGS LLC | SPARKS, NV | $2,837 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(c)(1)(viii), 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)(viii).
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)(ix) 18 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
What training must the respirator program include?
Proper use, including putting on and removing respirators, limitations on their use, and maintenance.
Is training part of the written program?
Yes. It is one of the required program elements.
Why train on removal?
Putting on and removing respirators is part of proper use under the rule.
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.