OSHA’s Respiratory
Protection Standard
29 CFR 1910.134
Major Changes
Different categories of particulate filters
 End of service life schedule
 Designate a program administrator
 New IDLH requirements
 Voluntary use requirements
 Medical, training, fit testing details
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Scope and Dates
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This standard applies to general industry, shipyards, marine terminals,
longshoring, and construction
The effective date is 4/8/98
Determination that respirator use is required (paragraph a) to be
completed no later than 9/8/98
Compliance with all other provisions of this standard must be
completed no later than 10/5/98
Employers may use the results of training, fit testing, medical
evaluation conducted within 12 months prior to 4/8/98 if they meet the
standard requirements
Other OSHA Specific Standards
Respirator related provisions of OSHA’s
existing standards are revised to conform to
the revised 1910.134
 All provisions addressing respirator use,
selection, and fit testing are deleted from
OSHA’s specific substance standards
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Organization of the Standard
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a) Permissible practice
b) Definitions
c) Respirator program
d) Selection of respirators
e) Medical evaluation
f) Fit testing
g) Use of respirator
h) Maintenance and care
i) Breathing air quality and use
j) Identification of filters, cartridges, and canisters
k) Training and information
m) Recordkeeping
n) Dates
o) Appendices
A - Fit test procedures
B-1 User seal checks
B-2 Cleaning procedures
C Medical questionnaire
D Information for employees wearing respirators when not required
Permissible Practice
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Primary means of control of breathing contaminated air is
through use of feasible engineering controls
If not feasible or while implementing respirators shall be
used
Respirators must be appropriate for use intended
Employer is responsible for establishment of respirator
program as discussed in paragraph (c)
Respirator Program
Develop a written program with worksite
specific procedures
 Update program as needed as conditions
change
 Designate a program administrator who is
qualified
 Provide respirators, training, and medical
evaluations at no cost to employees
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Voluntary Use
If voluntary use of dust masks is
permissible, employer must provide
appendix D information
 For other respirator use, must implement
medical evaluation and cleaning, storage,
and maintenance requirements
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Program Elements
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Selection
Medical evaluation
Fit testing
Use
Maintenance and care
Breathing air quality
Training
Program evaluation
Selection of respirators
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Employer must select appropriate respirator based on
respiratory hazards and user factors which affect
performance and reliability
Select NIOSH certified respirators and use in compliance
with conditions of certification
Identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the
workplace and estimate the employee’s exposure
If estimate cannot be performed consider atmosphere
IDLH
Select from sufficient number of models and sizes
Respirators for IDLH
Use full facepiece pressure demand SCBA
certified by NIOSH for minimum life of 30
minutes, or
 Combination full facepiece pressure
demand with auxiliary self contained
breathing supply
 All oxygen-deficient atmospheres are
considered IDLH
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Respirators for atmospheres not
IDLH
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Provide an atmosphere supplying respirator, or
Provide an air purifying respirator, provided that:
- Equipped with and end of service life indicator, or
- Implement a change schedule based on objective information, and
must describe the information and data relied upon for the schedule
For protection against
particulates, provide:
An atmosphere supplying respirator, or
 An air-purifying respirator with HEPA filter
under NIOSH CFR Part 11 or with filters
certified for particulates under 42 CFR Part
84
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NIOSH Requirements
42 CFR Part 84
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On July 10, 1995, 30 CFR 11 was replaced by 42 CFR 84
Only certifications for nonpowered, air purifying,
particulate respirators are affected
Remaining portions of Part 11 incorporated into Part 84
without change
Permits manufacture and sale of Part 11 respirators until
July 10, 1998
Distributors and end users may deplete supplies until
inventories are exhausted
Classes of Filters
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Old Part 11 used dust, fume, mist classification
Part 84 has 3 classes based on characteristics against oil
containing hazards, and 3 classes based on filtering
efficiency
Levels of efficiency are 95%, 99%, and 99.97%
Oil resistance categories are N (not resistant), R (resistant),
and P (oil proof)
Filters are clearly marked (i.e. N95)
Selection of N, R, or P
If no oil present, use either N, P, or R
 If oil particles are present, use only R or P
 If oil present and respirator used for more
than 1 shift, use only P
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Selection of filter efficiency
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Must consider overall respirator performance needed
Calculate hazard grade ( exposure/limit)
Must know protection factor of respirator
Example
- Half mask with HEPA - protection factor is 10
- Half mask with N95 - protection factor is 100/10 +5 =
6.6
- Full face with N 95 - protection factor is 100/2+5 =
14.2
N95 with half mask suitable for many conditions with
hazard grade below 6.
Medical Evaluation
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Must be done before fit testing and use to determine users
ability to wear respirator
Identify a PLHCP (physician or other licensed health care
provider) to perform evaluations using the questionnaire or
other examination which obtains information
Appendix C Part A questionnaire
Follow up exam required if positive response to any
question of questions 1-8 in section 2
Annual review required
Fit Testing
Before employee uses tight fitting facepiece
 Must pass QLFT or QNFT
 At least annually, or other changes in
physical condition of employee
 QLFT OK if fit factor of 100 or less is
needed
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Use of respirators
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Cannot use tight fitting respirators if facial hair or other conditions which may
interfere with seal
Glasses or goggles must not interfere with seal
Users must perform a user seal check each time put on per procedures in
Appendix B-1
Maintain appropriate surveillance of work area conditions and degree of
exposure
IDLH
- Locate one employee outside the IDLH area
- Maintain voice or other communication
- Outside employee must be trained and equipped for emergency rescue
Maintenance and care
Provide respirator that is clean, sanitary, and
in good working order
 Use procedures in Appendix B-2
 Clean and disinfect:
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- as often as needed when used for exclusive use
- before being worn by different employee
- after each use for emergency respirators
Identification
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All filters, cartridges, and canisters must be
labeled and color coded with the NIOSH
approval label
Training and information
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Employees must demonstrate knowledge of:
» why respirator is needed
» use in emergency situations
» how to inspect, put on, and check seals
» how to store
» medical signs and symptoms which may limit effective use
» general requirements of the standard
» how to fit test and maintain
Train prior to use and annually, or when changes occur
Provide Appendix D to all users
Program Evaluation
To ensure effective implementation
 Must regularly consult employees to assess
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Recordkeeping
Medical evaluations retained per 29 CFR
1910.1020
 Fit test records until next fit test
 Written program
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