(OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Compliant)
Provider: OpsIntegrity^TM

Purpose:

The purpose of this training is to provide employees and employers with a clear understanding of OSHA’s Confined Space standard (29 CFR 1910.146), which outlines procedures and responsibilities for safe entry into permit-required confined spaces. This course emphasizes hazard recognition, entry procedures, rescue requirements, and communication protocols to prevent injury or death.

This course is designed as an awareness-level training program only. It is intended to introduce the trainee to the principles, hazards, and procedures associated with permit-required confined spaces. It does not certify or qualify any employee to enter a confined space as an authorized entrant, nor to serve as an attendant, supervisor, or rescue personnel. Employees assigned to these roles must complete additional classroom and in-person practical training before performing confined space work. Employers are responsible for providing and documenting this advanced training in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146.

Introduction

Respiratory protection is a critical element of workplace safety whenever workers may be exposed to harmful airborne contaminants or oxygen-deficient atmospheres. OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 outlines specific requirements for employers and workers to follow in order to prevent respiratory injuries and illnesses.

This awareness-level training module has been developed for online delivery through the OpsIntegrity™ subscription platform, which serves multiple employers across a range of industries. The purpose of this module is to introduce the foundational concepts of respiratory protection, including why it is necessary, how respirators work, and what OSHA requires for their use.

This training does not authorize you to wear a respirator in the workplace. Instead, it provides the essential awareness every employee should have about respiratory hazards, basic respirator types, and the responsibilities of both employers and workers.

Whether your role involves occasional exposure to airborne hazards or you're preparing for full respirator qualification, this module is a starting point. It will help you understand:

• The importance of respiratory protection
• When and why respirators are required
• What steps are necessary before a respirator can be used on the job
• Your role in ensuring your own safety and compliance with workplace procedures

Please review all content carefully. Your employer will provide additional training, evaluations, and fit testing if you are assigned a task that requires respiratory protection.

Scope of this online Respiratory Protection Awareness Training

This online training module provides awareness-level instruction on respiratory protection, developed in accordance with OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.134. It is designed for use by multiple employers through the OpsIntegrity subscription platform. This training introduces workers to key concepts required for understanding respiratory protection and its role in workplace safety. However, it does not meet all requirements for respirator use.

What Is Covered in This Online Module

• Why respiratory protection is necessary in certain work environments
• How improper fit, use, or maintenance of a respirator can reduce or eliminate its protective value
• The capabilities and limitations of various types of respirators
• Theoretical knowledge of how to inspect, don (put on), doff (take off), and perform a user seal check
• Guidelines for proper cleaning, storage, and maintenance of respirators
• Recognition of medical symptoms that may signal difficulty or danger when wearing a respirator
• General awareness of OSHA’s respiratory protection requirements under 1910.134

This awareness module helps workers build foundational knowledge of respiratory protection. It is intended to support employer compliance and worker safety by promoting informed decision-making and hazard recognition.

What Requires In-Person or Supervised Training

The following components of OSHA’s respiratory protection standard cannot be completed through this online awareness module and require hands-on participation or professional review:

• Fit Testing (Qualitative or Quantitative):
  A trained professional must perform fit testing using OSHA-approved methods to ensure the respirator forms an effective seal. This must be done before the first use and annually thereafter, or when a different respirator model is used or the user’s facial structure changes.
• Hands-On Demonstration of Use:
  Employees must physically demonstrate their ability to properly don, doff, adjust, and seal-check their respirators under direct supervision to verify correct use.
• Medical Evaluation and Clearance:
  While a medical questionnaire can be distributed electronically, a licensed healthcare provider must review the responses and determine whether the employee is medically qualified to wear a respirator. No employee may wear a respirator until medical clearance is granted.

Important Reminder:
This awareness training is part of a broader compliance process. Employers must ensure that all required elements including medical evaluations, fit testing, and supervised training are completed before authorizing any employee to use a respirator on the job.

Our Most Important Objective: A Safe and Healthful Workplace

At OpsIntegrity, we believe that maintaining a safe and healthful workplace is the highest priority for every employer and employee. This principle forms the foundation of all training modules and safety resources provided through the OpsIntegrity system.

Employers are responsible for:

• Providing a workplace free from recognized hazards.
• Complying with OSHA standards and other applicable safety regulations.
• Promoting continuous improvement in safety practices.
• Empowering workers to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation.

Employees are responsible for:

• Following safety procedures and practices at all times.
• Reporting safety concerns, hazards, or near misses.
• Actively supporting the safety culture of their workplace.

Through OpsIntegrity’s shared resources, training, and compliance tools, employers and employees work together to identify risks, prevent injuries, and maintain a strong commitment to safety excellence.

Safety is not just a policy. It is a shared responsibility and a daily practice.

Understanding Respiratory Hazards

Breathing is something we do without thinking—but at work, the air around you might not always be safe. Some job sites have invisible dangers in the air that can harm your lungs, make you sick, or even put your life at risk if you're not protected.

These dangers are called respiratory hazards, and they come in many forms:

Types of Respiratory Hazards

1. Chemical Vapors and Gases
   These are substances that turn into gas and float in the air. You might not be able to see or smell them.
   Examples: fumes from paint, fuel, cleaning products, glues, or chemicals used in factories and shops.
2. Toxic Dusts
   These are tiny particles that come off materials when they're cut, ground, sanded, or broken down. If you breathe them in, they can settle deep in your lungs.
   Examples: dust from concrete, drywall, insulation, wood, or fiberglass.
3. Welding Fumes and Smoke
   When metal is welded, heated, or cut, it releases a cloud of tiny metal particles and gases. These fumes can be very harmful to your lungs and health.
4. Biological Agents
   These are tiny living things like mold, bacteria, or viruses that can float in the air and make you sick.
   Examples: mold in damp buildings or bacteria in sewer or wastewater systems.
5. Mists and Sprays
   These are fine droplets of liquids that float in the air when sprayed or released under pressure.
   Examples: pesticides, paint sprays, or cleaning agents used in spray bottles or pressure washers.
6. Oxygen-Deficient Atmospheres
   In some spaces, like tanks, pits, or underground areas, there may not be enough oxygen to breathe. Just a few breaths in an oxygen-deficient area can cause you to pass out—or worse.

Why These Hazards Matter
Breathing in any of these hazards—even for a short time—can affect your health. Some symptoms show up right away, while others take months or even years to appear.

Short-term health effects can include:

• Burning or irritation in your eyes, nose, or throat
• Headaches or dizziness
• Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath

Long-term health effects can include:

• Asthma or difficulty breathing for life
• Silicosis or lung scarring from breathing in dusts like silica or asbestos
• Cancer from repeated exposure to certain chemicals or fumes
• Chemical poisoning that damages your organs or nervous system
• Death from exposure to high levels of gas or lack of oxygen

Who’s Responsible for Protecting You?
Your employer is required by OSHA law to protect you. That means they must:

• Identify any hazardous substances in your work area
• Control or remove the hazard using things like ventilation, containment, or substitution
• Provide respiratory protection (like a respirator or mask) if the hazard cannot be fully controlled by other means

Respirators are a last line of defense, not your first. They’re used when there’s no other way to make the air safe enough to breathe.

What You Can Do as a New Worker
As someone just starting out, you have the right to know:

• What you're breathing
• How to protect yourself
• What equipment you need
• How to report unsafe air or strange smells

Never assume the air is safe just because you can’t see a problem. If you have questions about the air quality, chemical use, or feel unwell while working—speak up. Talk to your supervisor or safety representative right away.

Role of Respirators

A respirator is a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect your lungs by keeping dangerous substances in the air out of your body. It's worn over your nose and mouth—and sometimes your entire face—depending on the type of protection you need.

You should think of a respirator like a filter or shield for your lungs. It’s there to keep out chemicals, dust, fumes, or gases that can make you sick or even kill you.

Respirators are used only when the air can't be made safe enough by other means, like fans, filters, or isolating the hazard. That’s why we call them a last line of defense.

Two Main Types of Respirators
There are two main types of respirators. Each one works differently and is used in different situations:

1. Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)
These respirators clean the air you’re already breathing by trapping or neutralizing harmful particles or chemicals before they reach your lungs.

They don’t provide new air—they just filter the bad stuff out.

Common types of APRs include:

• Disposable N95 Masks
  These are the basic masks used in construction, healthcare, and other industries to protect against dust, mist, or certain particles. They cover your nose and mouth and are meant for short-term use.
• Half-Mask or Full-Face Respirators
  These reusable respirators come with replaceable filters or cartridges. Half-masks cover your nose and mouth. Full-face respirators cover your whole face, adding eye protection too.
• Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs)
  These use a battery-powered blower to pull air through filters before delivering it to the facepiece. They’re used when extra comfort, airflow, or protection is needed.

Important Limitations:
APRs do not work in every environment.

• They cannot be used where there isn’t enough oxygen to breathe.
• They should not be used in environments where the contaminant is unknown or extremely dangerous.
• You must choose the right filter or cartridge for the specific hazard—using the wrong one can be just as dangerous as wearing none at all.

2. Atmosphere-Supplying Respirators (ASRs)
These respirators don’t clean the air around you—they bring in clean air from somewhere else. They are used when the air in the work area is too dangerous to breathe or doesn't have enough oxygen to support life.

Common types of ASRs include:

• Supplied-Air Respirators (SARs)
  These respirators provide clean, breathable air through a hose connected to a tank or safe air source far away from the work area. You might wear one in a paint booth, chemical tank, or confined space.
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
  These units are worn like a backpack and carry their own air supply, just like firefighters use. SCBAs give you complete freedom to move around in highly toxic or oxygen-free environments for a limited time.

Use Cases for ASRs:
These respirators are required in situations known as IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health), such as:

• Chemical spills or leaks
• Confined space work where oxygen is low
• Firefighting or rescue operations
• Cleanup of extremely toxic materials

Choosing the Right Respirator
Not all respirators protect you from all hazards. Using the wrong type could give you a false sense of safety—and put you in serious danger.

That’s why employers must:

• Identify the hazard (What’s in the air?)
• Measure the exposure level (How much of it is there?)
• Match the respirator to the task
• Make sure it fits and seals properly
• Train you to use, store, and care for the respirator

What This Means for You

• Never wear a respirator unless you’ve been trained and fit-tested for the specific one you’re using.
• Ask questions if you don’t know what kind of protection you need—or if something doesn’t feel right.
• Report problems immediately, like smells, dizziness, trouble breathing, or damaged equipment.

Respirators save lives—but only when used the right way, with the right training, and for the right job.

OSHA Standard 1910.134 Overview

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created Standard 1910.134 to ensure that when a respirator is needed, it’s used safely and correctly.

This standard is not just about giving someone a mask—it outlines a full system of steps that employers must follow before any employee can wear a respirator. Let’s walk through each step in a way that makes sense for someone new to the job:

1. Hazard Assessment
Before anyone puts on a respirator, the employer must identify the hazards in the air and decide if a respirator is even needed.

What this looks like in practice:

• A safety manager tests the air where grinding, painting, or welding is done.
• If dust, fumes, or chemicals are found at dangerous levels, the employer determines what kind of protection is necessary.
• If the air is too risky and can’t be cleaned up with fans or enclosures, a respirator is required.

As an employee: You won’t perform the assessment, but you should know that your employer must test the air before asking you to wear a respirator.

2. Written Respiratory Protection Program
If respirators are required, your employer must have a written plan that explains how everything will be handled—from choosing the right equipment to making sure it's used properly.

The written program includes:

• When and where respirators must be worn
• Who gets what type of respirator
• How they’ll be cleaned, stored, and replaced
• How training and fit testing will happen
• What to do in emergencies

As an employee: You may never read the full document, but you’ll follow the rules written in it. Your supervisor or safety team will explain what applies to your job.

3. Medical Evaluation
Wearing a respirator makes your lungs and heart work harder. So, before you’re allowed to wear one, a licensed healthcare provider must make sure it’s safe for you.

Here’s how it usually works:

• You fill out a confidential medical questionnaire (online or on paper).
• A doctor or occupational health nurse reviews it.
• You may be cleared to wear a respirator—or they might ask for a check-up or breathing test first.
• You must get medical clearance before you’re fit-tested or assigned to work with a respirator.

As an employee: Answer all medical questions honestly. You won’t be told detailed medical results—just whether you’re cleared for respirator use or not.

4. Fit Testing
Even the best respirator won’t work if it doesn’t fit your face properly. That’s why OSHA requires a fit test before you wear one on the job—and every year after that.

What happens in a fit test:

• You put on the exact model of respirator you’ll use at work.
• A trained tester uses special equipment or test substances (like a bitter or sweet mist) to check if any air is leaking in.
• You perform movements like talking, bending, or turning your head while wearing it.
• If the test fails, you’ll try a different size or type until you get a proper fit.

As an employee: You must be clean-shaven where the mask seals to your face. Be honest if the respirator feels loose, leaks air, or doesn’t feel right.

5. Training
Before using a respirator, you must receive job-specific training so you understand:

• Why you need the respirator
• How to put it on and take it off
• How to do a seal check every time you wear it
• How long it lasts before changing filters or cartridges
• How to clean and store it
• What its limitations are (e.g., it won’t work in a low-oxygen area)

Training must happen before you wear the respirator and at least once a year after that. It’s also required if your equipment changes or if you switch job roles.

As an employee: Pay close attention. Ask for more training if you’re unsure how to use your respirator properly.

6. Program Evaluation
Your employer can’t just set up the program and walk away. They must regularly check that the respirator program is working, and that employees are using respirators safely and correctly.

This includes:

• Watching employees on the job to ensure proper use
• Asking for feedback from workers about comfort and problems
• Checking maintenance and storage procedures
• Making updates when equipment or workplace conditions change

As an employee: Speak up if your respirator is uncomfortable, broken, hard to breathe through, or seems ineffective. Your feedback helps keep the program safe for everyone.

Key Takeaway
OSHA 1910.134 exists to protect you from unsafe air—but a respirator only works if it’s the right type, fits well, and is used correctly. Your employer must follow every step in the standard. Your responsibility is to learn, follow instructions, ask questions when things don’t seem right, and stop the job if there is uncontrolled danger present.

Voluntary Respirator Use vs. Required Use
Not every situation that involves dust, mist, or odors requires a respirator by OSHA standards—but that doesn’t mean you can simply wear one on your own terms. OSHA makes an important distinction between voluntary use and required use of respirators, and it’s critical to understand the difference.

✅ What Is Voluntary Use?
Voluntary use means you are choosing to wear a respirator even though your employer has not determined that it's required to protect your health under OSHA regulations.

This often happens in situations like:

• Wearing an N95 dust mask to avoid nuisance dust during light sweeping or wood cutting
• Using a personal respirator to avoid smells or irritation, even when levels are considered safe by OSHA
• Preferring a face covering in specific environments where the air is technically safe

In these cases, your employer may not require it—but allows it. This requires specific employer written permission for voluntary use of noted respirators.

However, you still can’t treat respirator use casually. Even voluntary use comes with rules and responsibilities to make sure you’re not creating new hazards by using the wrong equipment or using it incorrectly.

❌ What Is Required Use?
Required use happens when your employer has identified respiratory hazards that exceed OSHA’s safe exposure limits—like during:

• Painting with hazardous chemicals
• Working in confined spaces with limited oxygen
• Sandblasting, welding, or working around toxic fumes or vapors

In these cases, your employer must provide a respirator, train you, medically clear you, and fit-test you. All steps in the OSHA respiratory protection standard (1910.134) must be followed, and use of the respirator is mandatory for safety and compliance.

Employer Responsibilities for Voluntary Use
Even though respirator use is voluntary in some settings, your employer still has obligations under OSHA. They must:

1. Ensure that the use of a respirator does not create a hazard

For example, wearing a mask can make it harder to breathe or can trap heat and cause stress. If the work is intense or performed in hot environments, this could be dangerous.
The respirator itself must be safe, clean, and appropriate for the work being done.

2. Provide you with OSHA’s Appendix D

This is a one-page document that explains the do’s and don’ts of voluntary respirator use.
It warns users that respirators can give a false sense of protection if used incorrectly or without a proper seal.

3. Ensure the respirator is used properly

Even if it’s voluntary, the employer must make sure the respirator is clean, in good condition, and used correctly.
Respirators must not interfere with other PPE (like safety glasses) or communication.

4. Provide basic instructions

Employees must be taught how to wear the respirator, how to check the fit, how to store it, and when to replace it.

Important Reminders for Workers

If you’re choosing to wear a respirator on your own:

• Don’t bring one from home without approval. Not all respirators are approved or appropriate for your job.
• Don’t assume it protects you from everything. An N95 mask won’t protect you from gases, vapors, or oxygen deficiency.
• Don’t skip training or ignore Appendix D. Even voluntary use comes with conditions.
• Don’t wear a respirator if it makes you feel dizzy, short of breath, or overheated. Report it immediately.

Why This Matters in Awareness Training
Even though this module is for awareness only, it’s essential for workers to understand that voluntary use does not mean unrestricted or unsupervised use.

OSHA’s intent is clear: All respirator use—voluntary or required—must be safe, informed, and properly managed by your employer.

Limitations of This Awareness-Only Training
This online training module is designed to build your awareness of respiratory protection—not to authorize or certify you to wear a respirator at work.

Think of this course as your first step in understanding when respirators are needed, how they protect you, and what rules apply under OSHA. But awareness is not enough. Before you ever wear a respirator on the job, you must complete additional hands-on, supervised steps required by law.

❗What This Course Does Not Include
Even though you've learned about respirator types, hazards, and basic responsibilities, there are critical steps missing from this awareness-only training:

1. No Hands-On Practice
In the real world, putting on a respirator properly takes skill. You need to practice how to:

• Inspect it for damage or defects
• Put it on and take it off without contaminating it
• Adjust straps and make it seal to your face
• Clean and store it correctly

In this course, you’re learning the concepts, but you're not physically performing any of those steps. That means you haven’t yet proven that you can wear a respirator correctly or safely.

2. No Fit Testing
Just like shoes come in different sizes, so do respirators. And just like shoes, a poor fit means poor protection.

Fit testing is a process where a trained person checks whether your respirator makes a proper, airtight seal to your face. You move your head, talk, bend over, and see if any air leaks in.

In this course, you’re learning why fit testing matters, but you are not receiving a fit test—so you cannot be cleared to use a respirator yet.

3. No Medical Evaluation
Wearing a respirator can make breathing harder and put extra stress on your heart and lungs. OSHA requires a medical evaluation before anyone can wear a respirator for work.

This means:

• Completing a confidential health questionnaire
• Getting cleared by a licensed medical professional
• Possibly undergoing a physical exam or breathing test

This course does not include a medical evaluation. That step must be handled by your employer and a qualified healthcare provider.

4. No Site-Specific Hazard Training
Different jobs have different risks. What you need to know when spray painting in a booth is very different from what you’d need to know working in a sewer line or welding in a confined space.

Your employer must train you on:

• What specific hazards exist at your job site
• Which respirator you’ll use and why
• How to respond to emergencies involving air quality

This awareness course is general. It doesn’t cover your worksite, your tools, or your team’s emergency plan.

So What Is This Training For?
This course is here to prepare you for what's next. It helps you:

• Understand why respiratory protection is so important
• Know the different types of hazards and respirators
• Recognize the steps that must happen before you can use one
• Avoid making dangerous assumptions about safety equipment
• Ask the right questions and speak up if something seems unsafe
  

⚠️ Key Reminder
Just because you passed this awareness training doesn’t mean you’re ready—or legally allowed—to wear a respirator on the job.

Before you’re cleared to wear a respirator, you must still complete:

• A medical evaluation
• A successful fit test
• Hands-on training specific to your work and equipment
• Full training under your employer’s written respiratory protection program

Multi-Employer Worksite Considerations

Many worksites involve multiple employers working together. Each employer must ensure that their employees:

• Know the designated exit routes for the worksite.
• Are familiar with the site's Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Participate in coordinated emergency drills when possible.

Primary contractors or host employers typically hold responsibility for coordinating emergency planning with subcontractors and other employers present on-site. All parties must communicate and ensure that emergency procedures are clear and understood by everyone.

Reporting and Resources
As a worker participating in this respiratory protection awareness training, it’s important to know where to go for help, how to report concerns, and how to access the tools you need to stay safe on the job.

This training is provided through the OpsIntegrity™ Subscription Safety Service, which supports multiple employers and industries by delivering consistent, OSHA-aligned safety education and compliance tools. Your employer has partnered with us to ensure you receive both foundational knowledge and access to key safety systems.

How to Report a Concern
If you notice any of the following conditions, it is your responsibility to report them immediately to your supervisor or designated safety contact:

• You are asked to wear a respirator without receiving proper training, medical clearance, or fit testing
• You experience shortness of breath, dizziness, or discomfort while wearing a respirator
• You see damaged or expired respirators in use
• You observe hazardous air conditions that haven’t been addressed
• You are unsure if respiratory protection is required in a specific task or area

Never assume it's safe to proceed. If you're unsure, speak up.

Your employer is legally required to investigate and take action on any reported respiratory hazard or equipment concern.

Where to Find Resources
Your employer maintains an online safety portal powered by OpsIntegrity™, where you can access:

• OSHA Appendix D: Information for employees using respirators when not required
• Respirator inspection checklists
• Medical evaluation request forms
• Respiratory protection program summaries
• JSA (Job Safety Analysis) documents for respirator-related tasks
• Emergency response protocols
• Copies of your training records

If you’ve been assigned a respirator, the following additional documents should be made available to you through your employer:

• Fit test documentation and results
• Manufacturer instructions and datasheets
• Filter and cartridge replacement schedules
• Cleaning and storage procedures
• Site-specific hazard assessments

Access your training records and downloadable resources by logging into your employer's OpsIntegrity portal or contacting your local safety coordinator.

Need Help? Ask.
Whether you're confused about when to wear a respirator or uncertain about a hazard in your work area, asking questions can protect your life and the lives of others. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

If you're unsure where to go, start with:

• Your supervisor or foreman
• Your site safety officer
• Your HR or operations coordinator
• The contact listed on your employer's OpsIntegrity dashboard

Summary and Key Takeaways

• Respiratory hazards in the workplace can be deadly if not controlled.
• Respirators protect you when other controls cannot eliminate the hazard.
• Only trained, medically cleared, and fit-tested employees may wear a respirator.
• OSHA 1910.134 lays out strict rules for respirator programs, training, and use.
• This awareness training does not meet the requirement to use a respirator on the job.
• Always report respiratory hazards and ask a supervisor if you’re unsure whether protection is needed.

Acknowledgment of Completion

By completing this Respiratory Protection Awareness Training module (1910.134), I acknowledge that:

• I have received training in accordance with OSHA’s General Industry Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134).
• I understand the types of respiratory hazards that may exist in the workplace and the health risks associated with inhaling airborne contaminants.
• I understand the role of respirators as a last line of defense and the difference between air-purifying and atmosphere-supplying respirators.
• I understand the difference between voluntary use and required use of respirators, and the responsibilities that apply to each.
• I understand that this is an awareness-level training only and does not qualify me to wear a respirator on the job.
• I understand that before I can wear a respirator for any work activity, I must complete a medical evaluation, pass a fit test, receive hands-on training, and comply with my employer’s written respiratory protection program.
• I know how to access safety procedures, respirator documentation, and reporting tools through the OpsIntegrity online safety portal.
• I understand that I must report any unsafe conditions, equipment concerns, or respirator-related health symptoms to my supervisor or designated safety contact immediately.
• I commit to using the knowledge gained in this training to help promote a safe and compliant workplace.