1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A): Facial Hair and Tight-Fitting Respirators
Employers must not let workers wear tight-fitting respirators if they have facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face. This also applies to facial hair that interferes with how the respirator valves work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 523 times in the last 3 years, in 523 inspections, with $731,505 in current penalties.
- 3 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (41), IL (37), NC (37).
- Related part: 1910.134(g) Use of respirators (678 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) 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
(A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or 523 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
3 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A).
At 12:00 a.m. on August 29, 2024, Employee #1, a material handler at a steel fabrication facility, was taking his morning break in the breakroom. Upon returning to work after the break, he began complaining of trouble breathing andchest pain. He called 911, and a…
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 | 29 |
| 2024 | 215 |
| 2025 | 163 |
| 2026 | 116 |
Top states: TN (41), IL (37), NC (37), TX (28), OH (28)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CRASH CHAMPIONS COLLISION REPAIR | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $53,500 |
| CRASH CHAMPIONS, LLC | ALLENTOWN, PA | $35,466 |
| CALIBER HOLDINGS LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $35,465 |
| CRASH CHAMPIONS COLLISION REPAIR INGRAM | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $23,045 |
| GENESIS HEALTHCARE | LEWISTON, ME | $17,555 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Facial hair and respirator fit (2016-05-09)
- Clarification on firefighters with facial hair who enter IDLH atmospheres and use a self-contained breathing apparatus. (2011-04-01)
- Appropriateness of using Mag-1 Eyewear eyeglass holders with full facepiece respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). (1995-09-20)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(g) Use of respirators 678 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1) Facepiece seal protection 639 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i) 605 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(iii) 28 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(B) 23 citations
- 1910.134(g)(4) Procedures for interior structural firefighting 19 citations
- 1910.134(g)(3) Procedures for IDLH atmospheres 14 citations
- 1910.134(g)(1)(ii) 6 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
What kind of facial hair is not allowed?
Facial hair that comes between the facepiece sealing surface and the face, or that interferes with valve function.
Can I have a mustache?
The rule does not ban all facial hair. A mustache is allowed only if it stays out of the seal and does not interfere with valve function.
Who enforces this?
The employer must not permit a tight-fitting respirator to be worn by someone with facial hair that breaks the seal or affects the valves.
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.