1910.134(i)(5)(i): Keep Contaminated Air Out of Air Supply
Employers must make sure compressors used to supply breathing air are set up to prevent contaminated air from getting into the air-supply system.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(i)(5)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 3 times in the last 3 years, in 3 inspections, with $10,878 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Related part: 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use (149 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(i)(5)(i) 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
(i) Prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system; 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(i)(5)(i).
At 8:00 a.m. on January 24, 2025, Employee #1 was working as an assembler for an industrial furnace and oven manufacturer was working inside a powder coating booth. The facility powder coats metal parts with a variety of products, that includes Sky White powder coating.…
Where and how often it was cited
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(i)(5)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(i)(5)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(i) Breathing air quality and use 149 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4) 43 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1) 34 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5) 34 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.134(i)(7) 30 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(iv) 24 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(i) 18 citations
- 1910.134(i)(8) 7 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(ii) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(A) 2 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(i)
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 does this rule require?
Compressors must prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system.
Why does compressor intake matter?
Air that gets into the system is the air workers breathe through supplied-air respirators.
Who is responsible?
The employer.
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 2026-10-22
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.