Voluntary use 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.

April 26, 2018

Mr. Donald Porter
10214 NW 10th
Oklahoma City, OK 73127

Dear Mr. Porter:

Mandatory annual blood work requirements in OSHA's Respiratory Protection and Ethylene Oxide standards

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 12, 2017

Mr. Eddie Smith
IBEW Local 2286
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
AFL-CIO-CLC
4850 Stone Oak Drive
Beaumont, Texas 77705

Dear Mr. Smith,

Pulmonary function testing training requirements and spirometer transmission of disease.

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.

 

Medical evaluation requirements under 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.

October 5, 1998

Mr. William R. Jaggi
Trans World Airlines, Inc.
Ground Operations Center
P.O. Box 10007
St. Louis, MO 63145

Dear Mr. Jaggi:

This is in response to your letter of March 31, addressed to Ms. Bonnie Friedman, in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Office of Public Affairs. We apologize for the long delay of this response. Enforcement of this standard will begin on the compliance date, October 5, 1998.

Clarification of a PLHCP under 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.

January 2, 1999

Mr. Dean Brotherton
2302 Waterway Blvd.
Isle of Palms, South Carolina 29451

Dear Mr. Brotherton:

This is in response to your letter dated September 9, 1998, addressed to Mr. Jim Drake in the Atlanta Regional office. Your letter has been forwarded to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Office of Health Compliance Assistance (OHCA) for a response. We apologize for the long delay.

Clarification of the medical evaluation provisions of the revised 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.

 

 

Health care professional's discretion regarding medical evaluations and exams.

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 16, 1998

Ms. Laila Freidmann, RN, COHN-S
Concentra Health Services
400 North Beach
Fort Worth, Texas 76111

Dear Ms. Freidmann:

This letter is in response to your requests of May 19th and July 14th; we apologize for the delay in responding to your requests. You asked several questions concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. Specifically, you asked about Appendix C, the Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire (Questionnaire).

Comparing medical evaluation requirements in the HAZWOPER, Respiratory protection, and Fire brigades standards.

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 15, 1999

Mr. Paul C. Bucknam
Amerada Hess Corporation
1 Hess Plaza
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-0961

Dear Mr. Bucknam:

This is in response to your letter dated August 28, 1998, addressed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Directorate of Compliance Programs (DCP). In your fax, you have requested an interpretation of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. We apologize for the long delay in getting this response to you.

Medical evaluations must be performed prior to fit testing.

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.

March 5, 1999

Mr. Mike Ferguson
Director-Special Projects
Bayshore Medical Center
3350 Fairview Street
Pasadena, TX 77504-1973

Dear Mr. Ferguson:

Medical evaluation not required for the use of escape only 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.

March 8, 1999

Ms. Mary Kiester
System Safety Engineer
Landsat 7 Program
LMMS
230 Mall Boulevard
Room U2101
King of Prussia, PA 19406

Dear Ms. Kiester: