1910.134(f)(8): OSHA rule
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(f)(8) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- 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)(8) is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 3 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
(8) Fit testing of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators and tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators shall be accomplished by performing quantitative or qualitative fit testing in the negative pressure mode, regardless of the mode of operation (negative or positive pressure) that is used for respiratory protection.
(i) Qualitative fit testing of these respirators shall be accomplished by temporarily converting the respirator user's actual facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with appropriate filters, or by using an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator facepiece with the same sealing surfaces as a surrogate for the atmosphere-supplying or powered air-purifying respirator facepiece.
(ii) Quantitative fit testing of these respirators shall be accomplished by modifying the facepiece to allow sampling inside the facepiece in the breathing zone of the user, midway between the nose and mouth. This requirement shall be accomplished by installing a permanent sampling probe onto a surrogate facepiece, or by using a sampling adapter designed to temporarily provide a means of sampling air from inside the facepiece.
(iii) Any modifications to the respirator facepiece for fit testing shall be completely removed, and the facepiece restored to NIOSH-approved configuration, before that facepiece can be used in the workplace.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(f)(8), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Fit testing requirements for respirators used for CBRN protection. (2011-12-27)
- Clarification on whether to use quantitative or qualitative fit-testing for full-facepiece PAPRs. (2007-07-23)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(f) Fit testing 2,215 citations
- 1910.134(f)(2) 1,496 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)
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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
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.