OSHA is proposing several updates to its Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) as part of a broader deregulatory effort to reduce employer compliance costs and provide greater flexibility, without compromising worker safety. Here are the key changes currently on the table:
Removal of Specific Medical Evaluation Requirements
The most significant proposed change is eliminating the requirement that employees undergo a medical evaluation before being cleared to use certain types of respirators. Impacted Respirators: This rollback applies only to filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs, such as N95s and P100s) and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). The agency cites a lack of epidemiological evidence demonstrating that medical evaluations prevent adverse health outcomes or material health impairment for workers using these specific, lower-burden respirators. Medical evaluations will still be strictly required for other types of respirators, such as tight-fitting air-purifying or supplied-air respirators. All other elements of the Respiratory Protection Standard—including hazard assessments, fit testing, training, and maintenance—remain fully in effect.
Revisions to Substance-Specific Standards
OSHA is also proposing changes to the respirator requirements embedded within 16 different substance-specific standards (such as those for Lead, Asbestos, Benzene, Cadmium, Inorganic Arsenic, and Methylene Chloride). Increased Flexibility:
The proposal moves away from older, prescriptive requirements (e.g., mandating full facepiece respirators or HEPA filters in situations where other options are equally protective). Employers would be permitted to select from a broader range of respirators—such as half-mask respirators or loose-fitting PAPRs—based on assigned protection factors (APFs) and current NIOSH certifications.
Current Status and Next Steps
Public Comment Period: OSHA recently reopened the public record on the medical evaluation amendment. Written comments are due by July 6, 2026.
Public Hearings: A series of virtual informal public hearings regarding these proposed deregulatory rules are scheduled to begin on August 19, 2026.