OSHA penalized employers $1,746,465 for violations of its respiratory protection standard 1910.134 in fiscal year 2013, from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013. Those dollars were accrued in 1,358 inspections resulting in 2,774 citations. That made the respiratory protection standard the fourth most frequently cited OSHA rule in 2013, behind 1) fall protection; 2) hazard communication; and 3) scaffolding.
Fabricated metal product manufacturers had the most trouble with respiratory protection compliance, being penalized $274,797 for 435 citations, or $631.72 per citation. Close behind were specialty trade contactors, penalized $261,689 for 398 citations. Other industries with more than $100,00 in penalties for respiratory protection standard citations: repair and maintenance ($112,449); nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing ($116,070); transportation equipment manufacturing ($101,448); chemical manufacturing ($117,208); and primary metal manufacturing ($114,458).