1910.134(g)(1)(iii): User Seal Check for Tight-Fitting Respirators
Employers must make sure employees do a user seal check every time they put on a tight-fitting respirator, using the procedures in appendix B-1 or manufacturer procedures the employer shows are just as effective.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(g)(1)(iii) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $11,052 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (19), PA (2), TX (2).
- 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)(iii) 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
(iii) For all tight-fitting respirators, the employer shall ensure that employees perform a user seal check each time they put on the respirator using the procedures in appendix B-1 or procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer that the employer demonstrates are as effective as those in appendix B-1 of this section. 28 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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (19), PA (2), TX (2), HI (2), CO (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BOROUGH OF OLD TAPPAN | OLD TAPPAN, NJ | $7,000 |
| BAJA DESIGN, INC. | DENVER, CO | $3,902 |
| INDUSTRIAL MOTION CONTROL, LLC | MOUNT JULIET, TN | $150 |
| INDUSTRIAL PLATING COMPANY, INC. | CHATTANOOGA, TN | $0 |
| C-WOOD LUMBER CO., INC. | COLLINWOOD, TN | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(g)(1)(iii), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- 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)
- Protection provided by powered air-purifying respirators. (1987-03-20)
- Hair where the mask edges meet the skin is not permitted for wearers of 30 minute positive pressure SCBA respirators. (1986-08-18)
- Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. (1985-11-26)
- Facial hair in the face sealing area is unacceptable. (1984-10-11)
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)(i)(A) 523 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
How often must a seal check be done?
Each time the employee puts on a tight-fitting respirator.
Which procedure should be used?
The procedures in appendix B-1, or the manufacturer's recommended procedures if the employer demonstrates they are as effective.
Does this apply to loose-fitting respirators?
This paragraph covers tight-fitting respirators.
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.