1910.134(c)(3): Respiratory Program Administrator
Employers must name a program administrator to run or oversee the respiratory protection program and carry out the required evaluations of how well it works. The administrator must be qualified by training or experience that matches the complexity of the program.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(c)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 83 times in the last 3 years, in 83 inspections, with $132,436 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MD (38), NJ (8), NY (5).
- 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)(3) 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
(3) The employer shall designate a program administrator who is qualified by appropriate training or experience that is commensurate with the complexity of the program to administer or oversee the respiratory protection program and conduct the required evaluations of program effectiveness. 83 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 | 32 |
| 2025 | 31 |
| 2026 | 19 |
Top states: MD (38), NJ (8), NY (5), PA (4), RI (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION, LLC | HARWOOD, TX | $13,240 |
| CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC. | SANGERFIELD, NY | $11,348 |
| KENT PET GROUP | MUSCATINE, IA | $9,375 |
| STONE DEPOT OF RHODE ISLAND, INC. | CRANSTON, RI | $8,750 |
| OUTDOOR FURNITURE REFINISHING, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $8,067 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(c)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(c)(3).
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)(1)(ii) 56 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(iii) 31 citations
- 1910.134(c)(1)(viii) 20 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
Does a respirator program need someone in charge?
Yes. The employer must designate a program administrator.
What qualifications must the administrator have?
Appropriate training or experience that is commensurate with the complexity of the program.
What does the administrator do?
Administers or oversees the respiratory protection program and conducts the required evaluations of program effectiveness.
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.