1910.134(l)(1): Evaluating the Respirator Program
Employers must evaluate the workplace as needed to make sure the current written respirator program is being carried out effectively and continues to be effective.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(l)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 44 times in the last 3 years, in 44 inspections, with $78,418 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (11), ME (4), AK (3).
- Related part: 1910.134(l) Program evaluation (55 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(l)(1) 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
(1) The employer shall conduct evaluations of the workplace as necessary to ensure that the provisions of the current written program are being effectively implemented and that it continues to be effective. 44 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 | 3 |
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 24 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: NY (11), ME (4), AK (3), VA (3), IA (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TACTICAL CLEANING ACQUISITION, LLC | HARWOOD, TX | $16,550 |
| FLEETPRIDE INC. | CORPUS CHRISTI, TX | $16,550 |
| KENT PET GROUP | MUSCATINE, IA | $9,375 |
| FABRIZI TRUCKING & PAVING CO. | EASTLAKE, OH | $7,500 |
| TRENTON WATER WORKS | TRENTON, NJ | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(l)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.134(l)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(l) Program evaluation 55 citations
- 1910.134(l)(2) 11 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 must the employer evaluate?
The workplace, as necessary, to make sure the written respirator program is effectively implemented and still effective.
How often must evaluations happen?
As necessary to ensure the program is effective.
Does the program have to be written?
Yes. The rule refers to the current written program.
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.