1910.134(g)(3): Respirator Procedures for IDLH Atmospheres
For IDLH atmospheres, employers must keep at least one trained, equipped employee outside, maintain communication with those inside, and notify the employer or designee before outside employees enter for rescue. Outside employees must have pressure demand or positive pressure SCBA or supplied-air respirators with auxiliary SCBA, plus retrieval equipment or equivalent means for rescue.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(g)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $50,579 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NJ (3), MD (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)(3) ("Procedures for IDLH atmospheres") is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 9 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
(3) Procedures for IDLH atmospheres. For all IDLH atmospheres, the employer shall ensure that: 14 citations
(i) One employee or, when needed, more than one employee is located outside the IDLH atmosphere; 2 citations
(ii) Visual, voice, or signal line communication is maintained between the employee(s) in the IDLH atmosphere and the employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere; 4 citations
(iii) The employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere are trained and equipped to provide effective emergency rescue; 2 citations
(iv) The employer or designee is notified before the employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere enter the IDLH atmosphere to provide emergency rescue;
(v) The employer or designee authorized to do so by the employer, once notified, provides necessary assistance appropriate to the situation;
(vi) Employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmospheres are equipped with: 3 citations
(A) Pressure demand or other positive pressure SCBAs, or a pressure demand or other positive pressure supplied-air respirator with auxiliary SCBA; and either 2 citations
(B) Appropriate retrieval equipment for removing the employee(s) who enter(s) these hazardous atmospheres where retrieval equipment would contribute to the rescue of the employee(s) and would not increase the overall risk resulting from entry; or 1 citations
(C) Equivalent means for rescue where retrieval equipment is not required under paragraph (g)(3)(vi)(B).
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 2 |
Top states: NJ (3), MD (2), TX (2), MI (2), IL (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| SOCORRO, CITY OF, WASTEWATER/WATER DEPARTMENT | SOCORRO, NM | $14,464 |
| NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $14,000 |
| CITY OF CHICAGO - FIRE DEPT. - BATTALION 11 | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 |
| JERSEY CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, CONSOLIDATED FIRE HOUSE | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $7,000 |
| DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. | GRAPELAND, TX | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(g)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Requirements For IDLH and Non-IDLH Spaces (2014-07-17)
- Respiratory protection and emergency escape requirements for IDLH atmospheres. (2003-01-13)
- The interpretation of the OSHA standards 1910.134 and 1910.156 which address the requirements for workers who are actively conducting operations in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health. (1995-11-01)
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)(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)(1)(ii) 6 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Who must be outside an IDLH atmosphere?
One employee or, when needed, more than one, trained and equipped for emergency rescue.
What communication is required?
Visual, voice or signal line communication between those inside and outside.
What must the outside employee wear?
Pressure demand or other positive pressure SCBA, or a supplied-air respirator with auxiliary SCBA.
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.