How to write a respiratory protection program step by step

Last updated 2026-07-10

What is a written respiratory protection program and who has to have one?

A written respiratory protection program is a formal document that describes exactly how your workplace selects, uses, cleans, and maintains respirators, plus how you confirm employees are medically able to wear them. OSHA requires it under 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1), which says the employer must "establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures." ^[1]

The short version: if respirators are required at your workplace, the program is mandatory. No exceptions.

The standard also applies when employees wear respirators voluntarily, but the requirements are much lighter then. You mainly have to give voluntary users Appendix D of 29 CFR 1910.134, which covers basic care and limitations. ^[1] If the respirator is purely voluntary and the hazard does not require it, you skip fit testing and medical surveillance, though you still owe the Appendix D handout and a general voluntary-use procedure.

Coverage is broad. The standard applies to general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, and longshoring, and construction and agriculture carry nearly identical requirements of their own. If you operate in a state with its own OSHA plan (22 state plans cover private employers), the state standard has to be at least as effective as federal 1910.134. ^[2] Most state plans mirror the federal rule almost word for word.

Small businesses often assume the rule only touches factories or chemical plants. Wrong. Auto body shops, dental offices, farms using pesticides, painting contractors, and woodworking shops all commonly trigger it. If you are unsure whether your workplace requires respirators, the hazard assessment step (covered below) answers that question before you write anything else.

What must a respiratory protection program include to be OSHA-compliant?

OSHA spells out the required elements in 29 CFR 1910.134(c)(1). Miss any of them and you have a program in name only, which inspectors will cite as if you had no program at all.

Here are the eight required elements:

Required Element	CFR Reference	Common Failure
Worksite-specific procedures	1910.134(c)(1)	Generic template, no site detail
Respirator selection	1910.134(d)	No hazard quantification
Medical evaluation	1910.134(e)	Skipped entirely
Fit testing (tight-fitting respirators)	1910.134(f)	Annual test missed
Proper use during routine and emergency operations	1910.134(g)	No emergency procedures
Maintenance, inspection, and storage	1910.134(h)	No cleaning schedule
Training and information	1910.134(k)	One-time training, no refreshers
Program evaluation	1910.134(l)	Never reviewed after initial draft

There is a ninth administrative piece the standard implies: you must designate a program administrator who is "suitably trained" to run the program. ^[1] OSHA does not require a specific credential for that person, but the agency's compliance directive (CPL 02-00-158) expects them to understand the standard well enough to make sound decisions.

For small businesses, one person often wears every hat: owner, safety manager, program administrator. That is fine. What matters is that someone is actually responsible, not that the role sits with a dedicated safety professional.

Do you actually need respirators? Conduct a hazard assessment first (Step 1)

Before you write a single word, figure out whether respirators are genuinely required. This is your hazard assessment, and it drives everything else in the program.

Start by identifying the airborne hazards present: dust, chemical vapors, fumes, biological agents, or oxygen deficiency. Then compare measured or estimated exposures to OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) in 29 CFR 1910.1000 and the substance-specific standards. ^[3] If exposure passes a PEL or action level, or if engineering controls alone cannot get exposure below it, respirators are required.

One caution before you jump to respirators. NIOSH's hierarchy of controls puts engineering and administrative controls ahead of personal protective equipment, so a better ventilation setup or a process change may cut exposure below the action level and take the respirator requirement off the table entirely. ^[12]

If you cannot measure exposures yourself, an industrial hygienist can do area and personal sampling for roughly $500 to $2,000 depending on the number of samples and substances. The American Industrial Hygiene Association keeps a find-a-professional directory at aiha.org. For many small shops, OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program is free and confidential, and it can help you decide whether a hazard actually requires respiratory protection. ^[4]

Document what you found. Write a short summary: which operations create airborne hazards, which employees are exposed, what the exposure levels are (even if estimated), and whether existing controls already push exposure below the action level. That document becomes the foundation of your program and shows an inspector you reasoned it out rather than guessed.

If the assessment shows no hazard requiring respiratory protection, and you want to allow voluntary use anyway (say, employees who prefer dust masks for comfort), document that too. You still need Appendix D distribution and a general voluntary-use procedure.

How do you select the right respirator for each hazard? (Step 2)

Respirator selection is where most small businesses make their first real mistake, usually by handing out N95 filtering facepieces for a hazard that needs a supplied-air respirator, or by stocking half-face APF-10 respirators for a substance with an IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) concentration.

OSHA's selection logic runs in three steps. Identify the hazard type (particulate, gas/vapor, combination, or oxygen-deficient atmosphere). Determine whether the atmosphere is immediately dangerous to life or health. Then assign an Assigned Protection Factor (APF) based on the respirator class, and confirm the APF times the OSHA permissible exposure limit exceeds your workplace exposure level. ^[1]

APF values are codified in Table 1 of 29 CFR 1910.134. Common examples:

Respirator Type	APF	Typical Use
Disposable N95 filtering facepiece	10	Nuisance dust, non-oily particles
Half-face air-purifying respirator	10	Moderate vapor or particulate
Full-face air-purifying respirator	50	Higher concentrations, pesticides
Powered air-purifying (PAPR), loose-fitting	25	Comfort alternative, some users
PAPR, tight-fitting half-face	50	Higher protection, mobility needed
Supplied-air respirator, demand mode	10	Oxygen-deficient or IDLH atmospheres
SCBA, pressure-demand	10,000	IDLH, firefighting

For gas and vapor hazards, the respirator has to carry the correct cartridge. OSHA does not publish a cartridge selection table directly, but NIOSH's respirator selection logic tool at cdc.gov/niosh/npptl and manufacturer cartridge selection guides (which must be approved for your specific chemical) are the resources to use. ^[5]

Always buy NIOSH-approved respirators. The NIOSH approval number (TC-84A for filtering facepieces, for example) tells you the device was tested to meet performance standards. Counterfeit N95s are a documented problem, and the CDC maintains a list of fraudulent devices at cdc.gov/niosh/npptl.

How do you set up medical evaluations before employees wear a respirator? (Step 3)

Medical evaluation is the step employers most commonly skip, and it draws one of the most expensive citations you can get. OSHA requires that any employee who must wear a respirator pass a medical evaluation before initial fit testing or use. ^[1]

The evaluation has to use OSHA's medical questionnaire in Appendix C of 1910.134 (or an equivalent), administered by a Physician or Other Licensed Health Care Professional (PLHCP). You cannot require employees to reveal their answers to you. The PLHCP reviews the questionnaire and gives you only a written recommendation: approved, approved with limitations, or not approved. You never see the medical details.

Cost is a common objection. Occupational health clinics typically charge $50 to $150 per employee when the questionnaire is the only service needed. Some employers use mail-in or online questionnaire services reviewed by a remote PLHCP for $20 to $50 per employee. Whatever the price, 29 CFR 1910.134(e)(1) puts it on the employer, never the employee.

Follow-up medical exams are required if the PLHCP recommends one, or if a user later reports symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest pain. Revisit medical clearance when an employee moves to a higher-protection-class respirator, or when a PLHCP, supervisor, or the employee raises a concern.

Keep the PLHCP's written recommendation in the employee's file. Do not keep the medical questionnaire itself, since that is confidential medical information. OSHA's medical recordkeeping rules under 29 CFR 1910.1020 require you to retain those PLHCP opinions for the duration of employment plus 30 years. ^[11]

How do you fit test employees who wear tight-fitting respirators? (Step 4)

Fit testing confirms that the specific make, model, and size of respirator forms an adequate seal on a specific employee's face. It applies to all tight-fitting respirators: disposable N95s, half-face and full-face air-purifying respirators, and tight-fitting supplied-air respirators. PAPRs with loose-fitting hoods or helmets do not require fit testing, which is one reason some employers pick them for workers with beards or unusual face shapes.

OSHA allows two testing methods under Appendix A of 1910.134: qualitative (QLFT) and quantitative (QNFT). Qualitative tests use the employee's sensory response (taste or smell of a test agent like saccharin or Bitrex) to detect leakage, and they are only valid for respirators with an APF of 10 or below. Quantitative tests measure actual particle counts inside and outside the mask with a particle counter, and they work at any APF level. ^[1]

Timing: employees must be fit tested before initial use, then annually after that. Retest anyone whose physical condition changes in a way that could affect the seal (significant weight change, dental work, facial surgery, or scar tissue). Run the test with the same make, model, style, and size of respirator the employee will actually use on the job.

Outside providers charge roughly $25 to $75 per employee for a fit test. An in-house qualitative test kit (saccharin or Bitrex) runs $300 to $600 and can be reused for many employees over time. If you have more than 10 to 15 employees needing annual tests, in-house testing pays for itself fast.

Document every fit test: employee name, date, respirator make/model/size, test type and protocol, and pass/fail result. OSHA does not name a retention period for fit test records, but keeping them at least three years is the practical standard most programs follow.

How do you write the actual procedures for using respirators on the job? (Step 5)

This is the core written section most programs get wrong. OSHA requires "worksite-specific procedures," not generic statements like "employees will wear respirators when needed." ^[1] The program has to describe the actual tasks, locations, and conditions where respirators are used.

For each job task requiring a respirator, document:

• The specific operation (painting booth, welding stainless steel, handling pesticide concentrates)
• The respirator type and cartridge required
• When the respirator must be put on and taken off
• User seal check procedure (positive or negative pressure check before each use, per Appendix B-1 of 1910.134)
• What to do if the seal fails or the employee smells chemical breakthrough
• Emergency procedures for IDLH atmospheres, including the location of backup equipment and communication protocols

For routine operations that are not IDLH, the procedure is relatively short. For work in or near IDLH atmospheres, 1910.134(g)(3) adds requirements: at least one standby person outside the hazardous area, communication maintained, and rescue equipment available. That gets its own written procedure.

Be honest about how employees actually work. If painters routinely move between spray areas and uncontrolled areas, say so and explain when the respirator goes on and off. A program built around idealized conditions that do not match reality fails both the employees and the inspection.

An osha training refresher helps here, because it connects written procedures to broader safety compliance and helps employees understand why the procedures read the way they do.

How do you cover maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage? (Step 6)

Respirators that are dirty, cracked, or stored badly do not work. Your program has to describe how you inspect, clean, and store every class of respirator you use.

Inspection: elastomeric respirators (reusable half-face and full-face) must be inspected before each use and during cleaning. Check the facepiece for cracks or distortion, straps for deterioration, the valve seat for debris or deformation, filter cartridges for physical damage, and the NIOSH approval label for legibility. Disposable N95s get a damage check before each use. Any respirator that fails inspection comes out of service and is repaired or discarded. ^[1]

Cleaning: OSHA gives you four acceptable cleaning methods in Appendix B-2 of 1910.134. The basic process is disassemble, wash with detergent and warm water, rinse thoroughly, air dry (never high heat), reassemble, then inspect before storage. Frequency depends on use. Shared respirators used daily get daily cleaning. Respirators assigned to one employee can be cleaned less often, "as necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition." ^[1]

Storage: keep respirators in a clean, dry spot away from sunlight, heat, dust, and chemicals. Each respirator belongs in its original bag or a sealable plastic bag. Do not hang them by their straps, since that deforms the facepiece over time. Keep them clear of pesticides and solvents that could degrade the elastomer.

For emergency-use respirators (SCBAs, escape respirators), 1910.134(h)(3) requires inspections at least monthly and after each use. Keep those inspection records.

How do you train employees before they wear a respirator for the first time? (Step 7)

Training is required before initial use and annually after that. The content is set in 29 CFR 1910.134(k)(1): employees must understand why the respirator is necessary, its limitations and capabilities, how to use it in emergencies, how to inspect and put it on, how to check the seal, the medical symptoms that may limit or prevent effective use, and the general requirements of the standard. ^[1]

That list sounds long, but a well-structured session covers it in 60 to 90 minutes for most workplaces. Hands-on practice with the actual respirator the employee will use is not optional. You cannot satisfy the requirement with a video or handout alone.

OSHA requires training in a language and vocabulary the employee understands. If you have Spanish-speaking employees, the training has to be in Spanish. OSHA keeps Spanish-language respirator resources at osha.gov. ^[6]

Document training: name, date, topics covered, trainer name, and employee signature. Retain those records. OSHA does not name a minimum retention period under 1910.134, but three years is a reasonable practice, and some substance-specific standards (like 1910.1025 for lead) require longer retention.

Retraining is required when an employee's job changes, when a new respirator type is introduced, or when observation shows the employee is not using the respirator correctly. You cannot check a box annually and move on if you can see the training is not sticking.

This is also a good moment to make sure employees know how to file an incident report if they experience a health symptom they believe is tied to respiratory exposure. That link between training and reporting keeps problems from going undetected.

How often should you evaluate and update the program? (Step 8)

A program written in 2018 and never touched since is not a compliant program. OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.134(l) requires employers to conduct workplace evaluations to make sure the program's provisions are being implemented effectively and that the program stays effective. ^[1]

What does an evaluation actually look like? At minimum, observe employees using respirators, interview respirator users and supervisors, and review the program documents to see if they still reflect real conditions. If something changed (a new chemical, a new process, new employees, a new respirator model), update the written program before or right after the change, not months later.

A practical annual review takes a few hours for most small businesses. Walk the operations where respirators are used, ask employees whether they are hitting problems with fit or discomfort, check that fit test and training records are current, and confirm the medical evaluations are still valid. Write a brief summary of what you found and what, if anything, you changed. That documentation is your evidence of compliance if an inspector asks.

OSHA's 1910.134(l)(2) specifically says you have to consult employees who use respirators about how well the program works. That means asking, listening, and acting on what you hear. A short anonymous survey works well for larger groups.

If your workplace changes significantly, do not wait for the annual review. New chemical introductions, process changes, renovations that affect ventilation, or a shift in the workforce should each trigger an immediate review. The goal is a living document, not a binder that sits on a shelf.

If building this from scratch feels like a lot, SafetyFolio's safety program generator walks you through the required elements in about 15 minutes and produces a document you can actually hand to an inspector.

What does a complete written respiratory protection program look like?

The finished document should be organized so any reader, whether a new supervisor or an OSHA compliance officer, can find any element without hunting. Here is a practical structure:

1. Policy statement and scope (one paragraph, signed by leadership) 2. Program administrator designation (name, title, contact) 3. Hazard assessment summary (what hazards exist, where, which employees are affected) 4. Respirator selection procedures (table by task showing selected respirator and APF rationale) 5. Medical evaluation procedures (how employees get cleared, PLHCP contact, recordkeeping) 6. Fit testing procedures (method, schedule, who conducts, documentation) 7. Use procedures (by task, including seal check, breakthrough response, emergency procedures) 8. Maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and storage procedures 9. Training procedures (schedule, content outline, documentation) 10. Program evaluation procedures (who, how often, what gets reviewed) 11. Appendix: OSHA Appendix D (for voluntary users if applicable) 12. Appendix: Blank training record and fit test log templates

Length is not the point. A small painting contractor with two employees using N95s in a non-IDLH environment might have a compliant program in eight to ten pages. A chemical plant with workers in SCBA near IDLH atmospheres will run much longer. Match the program to the actual hazards.

Refer to related programs where they overlap. If your hazard communication program already documents chemical hazards and SDS locations, cross-reference it rather than duplicating the information. The programs should fit together as a system, not contradict each other.

What are the most common OSHA citations for respiratory protection programs?

Respiratory protection is consistently one of OSHA's top 10 most-cited standards. In fiscal year 2023, 29 CFR 1910.134 landed on OSHA's list of most frequently cited standards for general industry. ^[7]

The most common specific violations include:

• No written program at all (1910.134(c)(1))
• Fit testing not performed or not performed annually (1910.134(f))
• Medical evaluation skipped or not conducted by a PLHCP (1910.134(e))
• Incorrect respirator selected for the hazard (1910.134(d))
• Training not documented or not conducted before initial use (1910.134(k))
• Program never evaluated after initial creation (1910.134(l))

Penalties for serious violations start around $1,190 per violation and can reach $16,550 per violation, and willful or repeat violations climb far higher, with OSHA adjusting the figures annually for inflation. ^[8] A single inspection that catches missing fit testing records, no medical evaluations, and an outdated written program can easily add up to $10,000 to $50,000 in penalties for a small business.

The fit testing citation shows up so often because employers know they did the initial test but forget (or choose to skip) the annual retest. Set a calendar reminder. The annual test is due within 12 months of the previous one, not 12 months from the hire date.

Beyond penalties, the cost of weak respiratory protection surfaces in workers' compensation claims. Occupational lung disease is underreported, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics records thousands of respiratory illness cases each year tied to occupational exposures. ^[9] A silicosis case or occupational asthma claim will cost far more than any fit testing program.

How do small businesses with no safety staff actually get this done?

The honest answer is that most small business owners write their first respiratory protection program by reading 29 CFR 1910.134 and OSHA's small entity compliance guide, then adapting OSHA's sample program in the appendices of the compliance directive (CPL 02-00-158). ^[10] That is a legitimate approach, and it is free.

OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program (separate from enforcement) provides free, confidential help to small businesses. Consultants can visit your site, review your hazards, and tell you whether your program is adequate without triggering an inspection. Find your state's program at osha.gov/consultation. ^[4]

If you want to move faster, SafetyFolio's written program tools generate OSHA-required program content based on your answers about your specific workplace, which cuts drafting time a lot. You still have to review the output against your real conditions.

Third option: hire an industrial hygienist or a safety consultant for a few hours. If you have genuinely complex hazards (IDLH atmospheres, multiple chemical exposures, confined space work), that investment makes sense. For a one-location painting shop with three employees using N95s for drywall dust, you probably do not need a consultant.

Whatever route you take, the program is only as good as your follow-through. Fit testing and medical evaluation schedules need to live on someone's calendar. Training records need to sit somewhere you can find them in 20 minutes if an inspector asks. The paperwork is not optional. It is the evidence that your program is real.

Frequently asked questions

Does a small business with only two employees need a written respiratory protection program?

Yes. 29 CFR 1910.134 has no employee-count exemption. If any employee is required to wear a respirator, the written program is mandatory regardless of company size. The program can be short and simple if your hazards are limited, but it must exist, be written, and cover all eight required elements. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program can help you build one for free.

Can I use a generic or downloaded template for my respiratory protection program?

A template is a starting point, not a finished program. OSHA requires worksite-specific procedures, meaning your program must describe your actual operations, chemicals, respirator models, and employee roles. A template filled with placeholder text will not pass an inspection. Fill in every blank with real details from your workplace, then have your designated program administrator review the whole document against actual conditions.

What happens if an employee refuses a medical evaluation?

You cannot let that employee wear a required respirator until they complete the medical evaluation. OSHA's standard is clear: medical clearance comes before fit testing or use. If an employee refuses for religious or medical privacy reasons, work with a PLHCP to find an acceptable alternative format. If they simply refuse without cause, they cannot perform tasks requiring respiratory protection until they comply.

Do N95 disposable masks require fit testing?

Yes. N95 filtering facepieces are tight-fitting respirators, so they require fit testing before initial use and annually after that under 29 CFR 1910.134(f). A surgical mask or plain cloth mask does not count as a respirator and needs no fit testing, but it also provides no OSHA-recognized protection against occupational airborne hazards. Only NIOSH-approved N95s used as required respirators trigger the full 1910.134 requirements.

How often do employees need to be retrained on respirator use?

At minimum, annually. Retraining is also required when an employee's job tasks change, when a different respirator type is introduced, or when observation or questioning reveals the employee lacks understanding of correct use. Annual retraining does not need to be a full initial training session. A refresher covering the key points and any changes since last year is acceptable if documented properly.

Who can conduct fit testing, does it have to be a professional?

OSHA does not require a licensed professional to conduct fit testing. A trained in-house employee can do it using an approved protocol from Appendix A of 1910.134. That person must understand the test agent, proper procedures, and pass/fail criteria. Many businesses train a supervisor or safety coordinator to run qualitative fit tests in-house. Outside occupational health clinics and safety consultants also offer fit testing services.

What records do I need to keep and for how long?

Keep PLHCP medical clearance opinions for the duration of employment plus 30 years under 29 CFR 1910.1020. Keep fit test records for at least the duration of employment (longer is better; three years is a common practice). Keep training records for at least three years. Keep the written program itself as a current document and retain prior versions. OSHA may request any of these records during an inspection.

What is the difference between an APF and a fit factor?

An Assigned Protection Factor (APF) is a population-based number in Table 1 of 1910.134 representing the level of protection a properly functioning respirator class provides to properly trained, fitted users. A fit factor is the individual result from a specific employee's quantitative fit test, expressed as the ratio of challenge agent concentration outside to inside the mask. A fit factor of at least 100 is typically required for a half-face respirator to pass.

Do employees who only use respirators voluntarily need the same program?

No, the requirements are lighter. For voluntary users of filtering facepieces like N95s, you must provide OSHA's Appendix D information and a minimal written procedure, but fit testing, medical evaluation, and full training under 1910.134(k) are not required. For voluntary users of elastomeric respirators, a medical evaluation is still required even when use is voluntary, per 1910.134(c)(2)(ii).

What is an IDLH atmosphere and does my program need to address it?

IDLH stands for Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health. NIOSH defines it as a condition posing an immediate or delayed threat to life, or one likely to cause irreversible adverse health effects. If any operation your employees perform could create an IDLH atmosphere, your program must include specific procedures under 1910.134(g)(3): at least one standby person outside, maintained communication, and available rescue equipment. This applies to confined space entries, certain chemical operations, and firefighting.

Can I count on my respirator supplier to tell me which cartridge to use?

Supplier guidance is a starting point, not a final answer. Manufacturers publish cartridge selection charts based on the chemical type, but you are responsible for confirming the selected cartridge protects against your specific exposure level. Cross-check supplier recommendations with the chemical's SDS, NIOSH's respirator selection logic, and OSHA's substance-specific standards if one applies. When in doubt, consult an industrial hygienist.

How do I handle employees with beards or facial hair that prevents a proper seal?

If a tight-fitting respirator cannot seal properly because of facial hair, the employee has three options: shave, switch to a loose-fitting respirator like a PAPR with a hood (which needs no fit testing), or move to tasks not requiring respiratory protection. OSHA does not allow exceptions to the seal requirement based on religious or personal preference. It is a physical protection issue, not a policy preference. Work with the employee to find a compliant solution.

My state has its own OSHA plan. Does my program need to follow a different standard?

State plan standards for respiratory protection must be at least as effective as federal 29 CFR 1910.134. In practice most state plans adopt the federal standard essentially verbatim. California (Cal/OSHA), Washington (L&I), and Michigan (MIOSHA) all run their own plans; check your state agency's website for any state-specific additions. Following the federal 1910.134 framework gets you compliant in the vast majority of state plan states.

What is the program administrator required to know or be qualified in?

OSHA does not require a specific degree or certification for the respiratory program administrator. The agency expects the person to be suitably trained to make sound decisions about the program, per CPL 02-00-158. In practice that means understanding 29 CFR 1910.134, knowing the respirator types in use, understanding the workplace hazards, and being able to judge whether the program is working. An OSHA 30-hour course covering respiratory protection helps but is not legally required.

Sources

1. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection standard: Employers must establish and implement a written respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures; lists required program elements including medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and program evaluation
2. OSHA, State Plans page: 22 state plans cover private-sector employers and must adopt standards at least as effective as federal OSHA standards
3. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1000 Air Contaminants (Table Z-1 PELs): OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits for air contaminants used in hazard assessment to determine whether respiratory protection is required
4. OSHA, On-Site Consultation Program: Free and confidential on-site consultation available to small businesses; consultants help identify hazards and review safety programs without triggering enforcement
5. NIOSH, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory respirator information: NIOSH provides respirator selection guidance, NIOSH approval information, and lists of counterfeit or non-approved respirators
6. OSHA, Respiratory Protection safety and health topics page: OSHA provides Spanish-language respirator resources and compliance guidance for employers with non-English-speaking workers
7. OSHA, Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards FY2023: 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection is consistently among OSHA's top 10 most frequently cited standards in general industry
8. OSHA, Penalties page: OSHA penalty amounts as of 2024: serious violations up to $16,550 per violation, with minimums around $1,190; willful or repeat violations reach far higher; figures adjusted annually for inflation
9. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Safety and Health Statistics: BLS Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities program records thousands of occupational respiratory illness cases annually attributable to workplace exposures
10. OSHA, CPL 02-00-158 Inspection Procedures for the Respiratory Protection Standard: OSHA compliance directive for respiratory protection inspections; includes small entity compliance guide and sample written program in appendices
11. OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.1020 Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records: Requires employers to retain employee medical records, including PLHCP respiratory protection clearance opinions, for duration of employment plus 30 years
12. NIOSH, Hierarchy of Controls: Engineering and administrative controls must be considered before relying on respiratory protection as the primary means of hazard control