OSHA has proposed revising its Respiratory Protection Standard to eliminate mandatory medical evaluations for employees who are required to wear filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), including N95 respirators, and loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs). Medical evaluations would remain required for workers using other respirator types, including tight-fitting respirators. [govinfo.gov], [osha.gov]
The proposal would amend requirements currently found in OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, which presently requires medical evaluations before employees are fit tested or required to use respirators in the workplace. [govinfo.gov]
Virtual Public Hearings Begin August 19, 2026
OSHA has scheduled a series of virtual informal public hearings beginning August 19, 2026, to receive stakeholder input on this proposal and other deregulatory actions currently under consideration. [osha.gov], [federalregister.gov]
Safety professionals, employers, workers, and other interested parties are encouraged to review the proposal and follow the hearing process.
Resources
- OSHA Deregulatory Rulemaking: https://www.osha.gov/deregulatory-rulemaking [osha.gov]
- OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134
- eCFR Respiratory Protection Standard: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-29/subtitle-B/chapter-XVII/part-1910/section-1910.134
ASSP Wichita Chapter will continue to monitor this proposed rulemaking and share updates as they become available.