Performance of user seal checks and whether positive and/or negative seal checks are required when donning a respirator.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

 

 

Clarification of OSHA's requirement for breathing air to have at least 19.5 percent oxygen content.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 2, 2007

Mr. William Costello
Vice President
FirePASS Corporation
1 Collins Drive
Carneys Point, NJ 08069

Dear Mr. Costello:

Maintenance of medical evaluation and fit test records as required by the Respiratory Protection Standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


June 2, 2009

Mr. Ryan H. Ruckel, Sr.,
Associated Affect, LLC
P.O. Box 66
Winfield. MO 63389

Dear Mr. Ruckel:

Clarification of OSHA's asbestos standards for general industry and construction and the respiratory protection standard as applied to medical surveillance of employees.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.


May 10, 2007

Jim Rafferty, D.O., MPH
Arbor Occupational Medicine
4790 Table Mesa Drive, Suite 200
Boulder, CO 80305

Dear Dr. Rafferty:

Clarification on equivalent test nebulizer for qualitative fit tests.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 13, 2009

Mr. Gregory M. Olson, Jr.
TSI Incorporated
500 Cardigan Road
Shoreview, MN 55126

Dear Mr. Olson:

Whether the Respiratory Protection standard requires personal air monitoring to identify and evaluate the respiratory hazards in the workplace.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 14, 2012

Mr. Matthew McCullough
The Green Insulation Company, LLC
9 Palmer Street
Stamford, CT 06907

Dear Mr. McCullough:

Clarification of OSHA's position on preemption precluding state court findings with regard to defective NIOSH-certified respirators.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

February 3, 2010

Mr. Les Weisbrod, President
American Association for Justice
777 6th St. NW
Washington, DC 20001

Dear Mr. Weisbrod:

Fit testing requirements for respirators used for CBRN protection.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 27, 2011

James S. Johnson, PhD
JSJ and Associates
7867 Cypress Creek Court
Pleasanton, CA 94588

Dear Dr. Johnson:

OSHA's decision not to provide a religious exemption from the respirator standard.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

August 5, 2011

[Withheld]
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
1413 K Street, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Dear [Withheld]:

Thank you for meeting with us on March 15, 2011, to discuss clarification on exemptions from OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, due to the Sikh religious ban on removing facial hair.

Numerous questions on filtering facepiece/dusk mask respirators.

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 22, 2011

Mr. Edwin G. Foulke
Fisher & Phillips LLP
1075 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 3500
Atlanta, GA 30309

Dear Mr. Foulke: