1910.134(i)(5)(iv): Breathing Air Compressor Change Tag
For breathing air compressors, employers must keep a tag at the compressor showing the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(i)(5)(iv) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 24 times in the last 3 years, in 24 inspections, with $9,525 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TX (4), PA (3), WI (3).
- 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)(iv) 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
(iv) Have a tag containing the most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the change. The tag shall be maintained at the compressor. 24 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.134.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.134(i)(5)(iv).
At 11:43 a.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 was spray painting aircraft parts while wearing a supplied air respirator. Nitrogen back flowed into the breathing air system, displacing oxygen and causing the employee to be asphyxiated. Employee #1 was fatally injured.
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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TX (4), PA (3), WI (3), KS (3), AL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PETERSEN INDUSTRIES, INC. | LAKE WALES, FL | $7,448 |
| BALIUS INDUSTRIAL, LLC | AXIS, AL | $1,277 |
| LEON'S FABRICATION, INC. | SCHERERVILLE, IN | $600 |
| CST INDUSTRIES, INC | WINCHESTER, TN | $200 |
| FAIRHOPE IRON WORKS, LLC | FAIRHOPE, AL | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(i)(5)(iv), 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)(iv).
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)(4)(i) 18 citations
- 1910.134(i)(8) 7 citations
- 1910.134(i)(4)(ii) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(5)(i) 3 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(ii)(A) 2 citations
- 1910.134(i)(1)(i)
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What must the tag show?
The most recent change date and the signature of the person authorized to perform the change.
Where is the tag kept?
At the compressor.
Who may sign it?
The person authorized by the employer to perform the change.
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.