1910.134(m): Respiratory Protection Recordkeeping
Employers must keep written records of respirator medical evaluations, fit testing and the respirator program. Medical records follow 1910.1020, fit test records must show employee, test type, respirator make, model, style and size, date and results, and be kept until the next fit test, a current written program must be kept, and records must be available to affected employees and OSHA on request.
Key takeaways
- 1910.134(m) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart I).
- OSHA cited it 198 times in the last 3 years, in 156 inspections, with $122,035 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (24), TN (14), NY (12).
- Related part: 1910.134(m)(2) Fit testing (107 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.134(m) ("Recordkeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.134 Respiratory protection, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart I). It includes 11 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
(m) Recordkeeping. This section requires the employer to establish and retain written information regarding medical evaluations, fit testing, and the respirator program. This information will facilitate employee involvement in the respirator program, assist the employer in auditing the adequacy of the program, and provide a record for compliance determinations by OSHA. 198 citations
(1) Medical evaluation. Records of medical evaluations required by this section must be retained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020. Open (m)(1) 77 citations
(2) Fit testing. Open (m)(2) 107 citations
(i) The employer shall establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee including: Open (m)(2)(i) 78 citations
(A) The name or identification of the employee tested;
(B) Type of fit test performed; 7 citations
(C) Specific make, model, style, and size of respirator tested; Open (m)(2)(i)(c) 17 citations
(D) Date of test; and 2 citations
(E) The pass/fail results for QLFTs or the fit factor and strip chart recording or other recording of the test results for QNFTs. 7 citations
(ii) Fit test records shall be retained for respirator users until the next fit test is administered. Open (m)(2)(ii) 24 citations
(3) A written copy of the current respirator program shall be retained by the employer.
(4) Written materials required to be retained under this paragraph shall be made available upon request to affected employees and to the Assistant Secretary or designee for examination and copying. Open (m)(4) 13 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(m).
At 7:58 p.m. on August 19, 2024, Employee #1, along with a coworker, had spent four consecutive days working at a residential site. The first two days involvedpulling insulation, and the following two days were dedicated to cleaning and treating areas affected by mold and…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 78 |
| 2025 | 65 |
| 2026 | 48 |
Top states: MI (24), TN (14), NY (12), NJ (12), PA (12)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TRENTON WATER WORKS | TRENTON, NJ | $19,000 |
| COMPREHENSIVE AT ORLEANS, LLC | ALBION, NY | $11,823 |
| 68870 - MIDWEST PRO PAINTING, INC. | LOUISVILLE, KY | $7,840 |
| NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT | NEWARK, NJ | $7,000 |
| JERSEY CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, CONSOLIDATED FIRE HOUSE | JERSEY CITY, NJ | $7,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.134(m), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Maintenance of medical evaluation and fit test records as required by the Respiratory Protection Standard. (2009-06-02)
- Employee's rights upon termination to access to physician's written opinion and respirator fit test results. (2005-10-20)
- Tuberculosis and Respiratory Protection. (2004-07-30)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.134(m)(2) Fit testing 107 citations
- 1910.134(m)(2)(i) 78 citations
- 1910.134(m)(1) Medical evaluation 77 citations
- 1910.134(m)(2)(ii) 24 citations
- 1910.134(m)(2)(i)(C) 17 citations
- 1910.134(m)(4) 13 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 long must fit test records be kept?
For respirator users until the next fit test is administered.
What goes in a fit test record?
The employee's name or ID, type of fit test, respirator make, model, style and size, date of test, and the results.
Can employees see respirator records?
Yes. Written materials required under this paragraph must be made available upon request to affected employees.
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.