• The OSHA standard for respiratory protection applies to all General Industry employers whose employees are exposed to respiratory hazards in the workplace.
• Employers must develop a written respiratory protection program, conduct evaluations of the workplace, train employees on respiratory protection, fit-test employees regularly, and other requirements.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)’s respiratory protection standard applies to General Industry employers who have employees exposed to hazards for which respiratory protection is required or used voluntarily (there are limited employer requirements for certain voluntary use).

Respirators are devices that prevent the entry of harmful substances into the lungs. The two basic types of respirators are: (1) air purifying—these remove hazardous substances from the breathing air, and (2) atmosphere supplying—these deliver safe breathing air from an outside source.

Employers who are covered under this standard must:

• Identify and evaluate the respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace.
• Develop and implement a written respiratory protection program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for required respirator use.
• Designate a program administrator to administer the respiratory protection program.
• 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.
• Select and provide appropriate respirators.
• Train employees on respiratory protection.
• Provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee’s ability to use a respirator, including N95 (dust masks) if required to be used.
• Identify a physician or other licensed health care professional to perform medical evaluations.
• Fit test employees initially and at least annually thereafter with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used. This applies to all tight-fitting respirators, including N95 (dust masks) if required to be used.
• Clean and disinfect respirators per the OSHA requirements.
• Store all respirators to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals.
• Use compressed air, compressed oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen for respiration that meets OSHA specifications.
• Retain records of medical evaluations required by 1910.134, and make them available in accordance with 1910.1020.
• Establish a record of the qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee.
• Retain fit test records for respirator users until the next fit test is administered.
• Retain a written copy of the current respirator program.
• Provide any retained written materials, upon request, to affected employees and to OSHA or designee for examination and copying.
• Ensure any voluntary respirator use is done in a way that poses no hazards to the worker. Also provide a copy of Appendix D from the Respiratory Protection standard to all voluntary respirator users.