Fit testing for CBRN 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.

October 26, 2011

Mr. Johnathan Morton
TSI Incorporated
500 Cardigan Rd.
Shoreview, MN 55126

Dear Mr. Morton:

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning fit testing of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) respirators.  This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed, and may not be applicable to any question not delineated in your original correspondence.

Clarification on firefighters with facial hair who enter IDLH atmospheres and use a self-contained breathing apparatus.

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 1, 2011

Mr. Randy Southard
7848 Highway 68 North
Stokesdale, NC 27357-9326

Dear Mr. Southard:

Thank you for your letter of December 2, 2009, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting clarification of OSHA's policy on facial hair and respirator use.  This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated in your original correspondence.

Clarification on the use of smoke escape hoods/masks by area monitors during a building evacuation.

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 26, 2011

Mr. Ira Gurvitch
Elmridge Protection Products
6615 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.
Suite 320
Boynton Beach, FL 33437

Dear Mr. Gurvitch:

Clarification of the requirements of the Respiratory Protection Standard.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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 4, 1995

Mr. Marvin Dinkel
Industrial Safety Coordinator
Kansas Department of Human Resources
Division of Labor-Management Relations
& Employment Standards
Industrial Safety and Health Section
Accident Prevention Unit
512 S.W. Sixth Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3174

Dear Mr. Dinkel:

APF for the combination pressure-demand, full-facepiece SAR with auxiliary SCBA

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 4, 2013

Mr. Paul G. Harrington, Assistant Manager
Technical and Regulatory Support
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of River Protection
P.O. Box 450, MSIN H6-60
Richland, Washington 99352

Dear Mr. Harrington:

Definition of a single use and negative pressure 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.

January 29, 2010

Ms. Robin R. Anderson
Loss Control Consultant
Highmark Casualty Insurance Company
Suite P6405
P.O. Box 535061
Pittsburgh, PA  15253-5061

Dear Ms. Anderson:

Difference between voluntary and non-voluntary use of 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.

July 14, 2009

Mr. Maurice S. Joyce, President
Argosy Construction Management & Logistics, LLC
2345 Pine Island Court
Jacksonville, FL  32224-1168

Use of smoke escape hoods meeting the ANSI-ISEA 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 11, 2010

Mr. Ira Gurvitch
Elmridge Protection Products
6615 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.
Suite 320
Boynton Beach, FL 33437

Dear Mr. Gurvitch:

Thank you for your letters of April 28 and July 31, 2009, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting clarification of OSHA's policy on the use of smoke escape hoods. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated in your original correspondence.

Permit-Required Confined Space Entry Requirements For IDLH and Non-IDLH Spaces

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.

July 17, 2014

Mr. William Verhayden
Precision Industrial Maintenance, Inc.
1710 Erie Boulevard
Schenectady, New York 12308

Dear Mr. Verhayden:

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a clarification of OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Spaces standard, 29 CFR §1910.146 (hereinafter, "the standard"). This constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any question not delineated within your original correspondence.

PSM compliance for ammonia refrigeration systems.

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.

***Response 10 updated July 07, 2015***

July 12, 2006

Mr. E. C. Palmer, Jr.
Environmental Attorney/Consultant
LAMB GROUP, LLC.
330 Providence Road
Athens, GA 30606

Dear Mr. Palmer: