1910.134(f)(1): Respirator Fit Testing
Employers must make sure workers who use tight-fitting facepiece respirators pass an appropriate qualitative fit test or quantitative fit test, as set out in the respiratory protection standard. A qualitative test uses the wearer's response to a test agent, while a quantitative test uses an instrument to measure leakage into the facepiece.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(f)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 668 times in the last 3 years, in 668 inspections, with $419,690 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: FL (65), MI (61), OR (43).
- Related part: 1910.134(f) Fit testing (2,215 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(f)(1) 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
(1) The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph. 668 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(f)(1).
At 12:57 p.m. on July 3, 2024, Employee #1 was spraying paint while wearing a respirator. The employee grabbed a trash bin and removed the mask, appearing to have difficulty breathing before collapsing to the floor. The employee struck his head on the concrete when…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 285 |
| 2025 | 220 |
| 2026 | 132 |
Top states: FL (65), MI (61), OR (43), NC (36), AZ (27)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ORKIN, LLC. | BANGOR, ME | $85,000 |
| FIRE TRUCKS UNLIMITED LLC | HENDERSON, NV | $18,632 |
| THE LAKEWOOD BRICK AND TILE COMPANY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $17,000 |
| LEWISTOWN VALLEY ENTERPRISES, INC. | TAMAQUA, PA | $16,550 |
| GGG DEMOLITION, INC. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $11,292 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(f)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(f)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(f) Fit testing 2,215 citations
- 1910.134(f)(2) 1,496 citations
- 1910.134(f)(5) 12 citations
- 1910.134(f)(6) 5 citations
- 1910.134(f)(7) 1 citations
- 1910.134(f)(3)
- 1910.134(f)(4)
- 1910.134(f)(8)
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
Who needs a fit test?
Employees using tight-fitting facepiece respirators.
What kinds of fit tests are allowed?
A qualitative fit test (QLFT) or a quantitative fit test (QNFT).
Is a seal check the same as a fit test?
No. A user seal check is done each time you put the respirator on; a fit test is a formal test to make sure the respirator fits you.
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.