OSHA’s regional emphasis programs continue to prioritize the programmatic elements of 1910.134. Citations in 2026 are frequently tied to “paperwork and protocol” failures rather than hardware failures:
- Failing to appoint a single, qualified Respiratory Protection Program Administrator.
- Conducting annual fit-testing without keeping detailed logs of the specific manufacturer, model, and size of the mask used during the test.
- Allowing facial hair (stubble, beards, or long sideburns) to compromise the sealing surface of tight-fitting negative or positive-pressure facepieces during active operations.
