1910.94(a)(5): Respirators for Abrasive Blasting
Employers must use only NIOSH-approved respirators to protect employees from abrasive blasting dust. Abrasive-blasting respirators must be worn by operators inside blast-cleaning rooms, when using silica sand in manual blasting not separated from the operator in an exhaust-ventilated enclosure, or where toxic dust may exceed 1910.1000 limits, and a respiratory protection program under 1910.134 is required.
Key takeaways
- 1910.94(a)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $53,928 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (4), WI (4), TN (2).
- Related part: 1910.94(a) Abrasive blasting (65 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.94(a)(5) ("Personal protective equipment") is one requirement inside 1910.94 Ventilation, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). It includes 5 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
(5) Personal protective equipment. 18 citations
(i) Employers must use only respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84 to protect employees from dusts produced during abrasive-blasting operations. Open (a)(5)(i) 4 citations
(ii) Abrasive-blasting respirators shall be worn by all abrasive-blasting operators: Open (a)(5)(ii) 4 citations
(a) When working inside of blast-cleaning rooms, or
(b) When using silica sand in manual blasting operations where the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from the operator in an exhaust ventilated enclosure, or
(c) Where concentrations of toxic dust dispersed by the abrasive blasting may exceed the limits set in § 1910.1000 and the nozzle and blast are not physically separated from the operator in an exhaust-ventilated enclosure.
(iii) Properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly referred to as dust-filter respirators, may be used for short, intermittent, or occasional dust exposures such as cleanup, dumping of dust collectors, or unloading shipments of sand at a receiving point when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust ventilation, or other means. The respirators used must be approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protection against the specific type of dust encountered.
(a) Dust-filter respirators may be used to protect the operator of outside abrasive-blasting operations where nonsilica abrasives are used on materials having low toxicities.
(b) Dust-filter respirators shall not be used for continuous protection where silica sand is used as the blasting abrasive, or toxic materials are blasted.
(iv) For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must implement a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. 5 citations
(v) Operators shall be equipped with heavy canvas or leather gloves and aprons or equivalent protection to protect them from the impact of abrasives. Safety shoes shall be worn to protect against foot injury where heavy pieces of work are handled. 5 citations
(a) Protective footwear must comply with the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.136(b)(1).
(b) Equipment for protection of the eyes and face shall be supplied to the operator when the respirator design does not provide such protection and to any other personnel working in the vicinity of abrasive blasting operations. This equipment shall conform to the requirements of § 1910.133.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.94.
Export the list: 18 inspections cited 1910.94(a)(5) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: PA (4), WI (4), TN (2), OH (2), OR (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VTCU, CORP. | POCATELLO, ID | $16,550 |
| JGM, INC. | COATESVILLE, PA | $10,889 |
| DAIGLE BROTHERS, INC. | TOMAHAWK, WI | $4,517 |
| BUECHEL STONE CORP. | CHILTON, WI | $4,341 |
| ELECTROMET CORPORATION | JOHNSTOWN, PA | $3,350 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.94(a)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.94(a)(5).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.94(a) Abrasive blasting 65 citations
- 1910.94(a)(4) Exhaust ventilation systems 19 citations
- 1910.94(a)(3)(i) 15 citations
- 1910.94(a)(3) Blast-cleaning enclosures 15 citations
- 1910.94(a)(4)(i) 14 citations
- 1910.94(a)(5)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.94(a)(5)(i) 4 citations
- 1910.94(a)(2) Dust hazards from abrasive blasting 3 citations
- 1910.94(a)(1) Definitions applicable to this paragraph 1 citations
- 1910.94(a)(1)(ii) Abrasive-blasting respirator
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Frequently asked questions
Which respirators can be used for abrasive blasting?
Only respirators approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84.
When are dust-filter respirators allowed?
For short, intermittent or occasional dust exposures such as cleanup or unloading sand when dust cannot feasibly be controlled by other means; they must not be used for continuous protection where silica sand or toxic materials are blasted.
Is a respiratory protection program required?
Yes. For employees who use respirators required by this section, the employer must implement a program under 29 CFR 1910.134.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.94 (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 2026-11-06
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.