1910.134(e)(4): Giving the Respirator Medical Questionnaire
The respirator medical questionnaire and exams must be given confidentially, during normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee, in a way that makes sure the employee understands the questionnaire. The employer must give the employee a chance to discuss the results with the physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP).
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(e)(4) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $2,954 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (8), PA (5), VA (2).
- Related part: 1910.134(e) Medical evaluation (2,653 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(e)(4) ("Administration of the medical questionnaire and examinations") is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 2 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
(4) Administration of the medical questionnaire and examinations. 19 citations
(i) The medical questionnaire and examinations shall be administered confidentially during the employee's normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee. The medical questionnaire shall be administered in a manner that ensures that the employee understands its content. Open (e)(4)(i) 16 citations
(ii) The employer shall provide the employee with an opportunity to discuss the questionnaire and examination results with the PLHCP. 3 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 | 5 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: TN (8), PA (5), VA (2), CT (1), IN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC. | SANGERFIELD, NY | $1,594 |
| HEARTLAND FIREPROOFING, LLC | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $1,360 |
| LAUREL VALLEY FARMS | LANDENBERG, PA | $0 |
| EUREKA RESOURCES, LLC | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $0 |
| FORRESTER ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. | DANVILLE, PA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(e)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(e)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(e) Medical evaluation 2,653 citations
- 1910.134(e)(1) General 2,526 citations
- 1910.134(e)(6) Medical determination 52 citations
- 1910.134(e)(6)(i) 52 citations
- 1910.134(e)(2) Medical evaluation procedures 22 citations
- 1910.134(e)(2)(i) 17 citations
- 1910.134(e)(7) Additional medical evaluations 17 citations
- 1910.134(e)(4)(i) 16 citations
- 1910.134(e)(7)(ii) 11 citations
- 1910.134(e)(5) Supplemental information for the PLHCP 10 citations
- 1910.134(e)(5)(i) 6 citations
- 1910.134(e)(3) Follow-up medical examination 5 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
When must the medical questionnaire be given?
During the employee's normal working hours or at a time and place convenient to the employee.
Is it confidential?
Yes. The questionnaire and examinations must be administered confidentially.
Can the employee talk about results?
Yes. The employer must provide an opportunity to discuss the questionnaire and exam results with the PLHCP.
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.