Are you providing a copy of 1910.134 Appednix D to each employee who wears a filtering facepieces (dust masks) on a “voluntary basis”? Are you controlling these filtering facepieces (dust masks) so that ONLY employees who have been provided with a copy of Appendix D have access to these filtering facepieces (dust masks)? For the past 15 or so years I, and I know of many other safety pro’s, have apparently been in error with regards to our obligation(s) when employees wear filtering facepieces (dust masks) on a “voluntary basis”. I was under the impression that the exception found in 1910.134(c)(2)(ii) exempted the need to have any kind of respiratory protection program if the ONLY respirator used on site involved the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (dust masks). This is really concerning to me, as I have had dozens of discussions with current and retired OSHA personnel, some as high as Area Director, and it seems that even some OSHA personnel may find this position confusing. Here’s why…