1910.134(f)(2): When respirator fit testing is required
Employees who use a tight-fitting facepiece respirator must be fit tested before first use, whenever they switch to a different facepiece size, style, model or make, and at least once a year after that.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(f)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 1,496 times in the last 3 years, in 1,480 inspections, with $3,059,091 in current penalties.
- 5 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (139), NY (128), PA (117).
- 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)(2) 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
(2) The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style, model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter. 1,496 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
5 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(f)(2).
At 7:10 p.m. on October 29, 2024, an employee was scraping paint from a bathtub using a paint stripper containing 70-90% methylene chloride (Hoodstrip-888 Semi Paste Remover). The employee became unconscious due to inhaling methylene chloride vapors above the short-term exposure limit (STEL) and subsequently…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 100 |
| 2024 | 581 |
| 2025 | 484 |
| 2026 | 331 |
Top states: IL (139), NY (128), PA (117), TX (76), TN (75)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ONE WAY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LLC | HOUSTON, TX | $1,489,626 |
| COASTAL ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, INC | HOUSTON, TX | $165,514 |
| GENERAL SHALE BRICK, INC. | WATSONTOWN, PA | $115,850 |
| DAEHAN SOLUTION NEVADA, LLC. | FERNLEY, NV | $91,272 |
| LAS VEGAS, CITY OF, FIRE DEPARTMENT | LAS VEGAS, NM | $62,081 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(f)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Temporary Enforcement Guidance – Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-10-02)
- Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-04-16)
- Expanded Temporary Enforcement Guidance on Respiratory Protection Fit-Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces in All Industries During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-04-08)
- Enforcement Guidance for Respiratory Protection and the N95 Shortage Due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-04-03)
- Enforcement Guidance for Use of Respiratory Protection Equipment Certified under Standards of Other Countries or Jurisdictions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic (2020-04-03)
- OSHA requirements for respirator fit testing with and without facepiece accessories (2017-01-17)
- Respirator fit test requirements (2016-02-08)
- Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection Enforcement (2008-03-24)
- Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection. (2007-05-17)
- Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection: prohibition on enforcement of annual fit testing requirements during fiscal year 2006. (2006-02-22)
- Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection: prohibition of enforcing annual fit testing requirements during 2005 fiscal year; enforcement of other 1910.134 provisions. (2004-12-22)
- Fit testing and medical monitoring requirements for wearers of filtering facepiece respirators. (2002-06-12)
- Clarification of respirator costs, annual training, and "effective" seal checks. (1998-12-23)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(f) Fit testing 2,215 citations
- 1910.134(f)(1) 668 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
Is an annual fit test required?
Yes, at least annually after the initial fit test.
Does a new brand of mask need a new fit test?
Yes. A fit test is required whenever a different respirator facepiece size, style, model or make is used.
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.