In Hawaii, a serious violation of 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) carries a maximum penalty of $16,550 per violation in 2026, rising to $165,514 for a willful or repeat violation. Respiratory Protection is enforced for private construction employers by Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH).
29 CFR 1910.134 · Hawaii
Respiratory Protection Requirements in Hawaii
Respiratory Protection in Hawaii: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3), the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
HawaiiGeneral Industry (29 CFR 1910)State Plan: Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 to Hawaii construction employers in FY2025. The federal maximum for a serious violation is $16,550.
0
1910.134 citations in Hawaii construction, FY2025
(e)(1)
paragraph federal OSHA cited most nationwide (79 citations)
2.7
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries, Hawaii, 2024 (BLS)
What Hawaii's own rule says
Respiratory protection is incorporated at the July 1, 2017 edition of Part 1910. What changes the program underneath it is that Hawaii runs its own permissible exposure limits: Exhibits A and B replace the federal 1910.1000(b) tables, so the exposure assessment that decides whether a respirator is needed, and which assigned protection factor will do, is measured against state values. Hawaii's chapter also carries state-specific definitions added to 1910.2, including ANSI Z88.2-1984 on practices for respiratory protection, which is named in the rule itself.
29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3)The duty itself differs from the federal text.
Read in Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-09
Harmful exposures and work deaths in Hawaii, 2024
Hawaii recorded 16 fatal work injuries in 2024, the same as in 2023. BLS did not publish a separate 2024 count of deaths from exposure to harmful substances or environments for Hawaii. Construction accounted for 4.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Hawaii, 2024
How Hawaii Enforces 29 CFR 1910.134
Hawaii runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Hawaii's own standards, which must be at least as effective as federal OSHA's and may go further. On this subject the rule is 29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3), which differs from the federal text (see the state rule above). Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 in Hawaii construction in FY2025. Hawaii applies the federal penalty maximums.
A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3), before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
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Help and oversight in Hawaii
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Hawaii, the program is Consultation & Training Branch (Department of Labor & Industrial Relations). OSHA describes it as “Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs.” It is separate from OSHA enforcement; the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
Read on osha.gov and the state's official statute site, September 26, 2026.
Hawaii Penalty Amounts for 29 CFR 1910.134 (2026)
Verified · 2026-10-05| Violation type | 2026 maximum | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Serious | $16,550 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Willful | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Repeat | $165,514 | Federal max · 29 CFR 1903.15(d) |
| Failure to abate | $16,550/day | up to $16,550 per day; total capped at 30x the daily amount (FOM Ch.6) |
Hawaii applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) computes proposed penalties under its own State Plan procedures.
Key Respiratory Protection Requirements 29 CFR 1910.134
- Establish written respiratory protection program
- Conduct medical evaluations before fit testing
- Perform annual fit testing for tight-fitting respirators
- Provide NIOSH-certified respirators
- Train on proper use and limitations
- Designate qualified program administrator
Who enforces it in Hawaii: Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) can add requirements beyond the federal standard above, so check its own rules as well.
The compliance checklist, the paragraphs OSHA cites nationally and what an inspector checks under 29 CFR 1910.134 are on the 29 CFR 1910.134 page.
Respiratory Protection Citations in Hawaii, FY2025
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 to Hawaii construction employers in FY2025. For reference, the paragraphs federal OSHA cited most nationwide:
Federal OSHA, construction, FY2025: 356 citations under 29 CFR 1910.134.
- 1
1910.134(e)(1) General. 79 citations
“The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator …”
- 2
1910.134(c)(1) 52 citations
“In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the employer, the employer shall establish and implement …”
- 3
1910.134(f)(2) 49 citations
“The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, …”
- 4
1910.134(f)(1) 25 citations
“The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting facepiece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph.”
- 5
1910.134(k) Training and information. 21 citations
“This paragraph requires the employer to provide effective training to employees who are required to use respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and recur annually, and more …”
- 6
1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) 19 citations
“Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: every federal OSHA citation issued in FY2025 to a construction employer (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Hawaii Safety & Enforcement Profile
248
FY2025 construction citations
Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Hawaii, FY2025: New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (19), Framing Contractors (13) and Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (12), out of 123 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Fatal injury rate in Hawaii, 2024: 2.7 per 100,000 full-time workers, all industries. BLS did not publish a 2024 construction rate here.
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: inspections of construction employers (NAICS 23) opened from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, federal OSHA and State Plan combined, grouped by the inspected employer's 2022 NAICS industry. Industry names are the Census Bureau's 2022 NAICS titles. data.dol.gov · BLS fatality rates by state, 2024
Free Respiratory Protection Compliance Tools
Respiratory Protection FAQ for Hawaii
Which Hawaii construction trades are inspected most?
The construction trades inspected most in Hawaii in FY2025 were New Single-Family Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (19), Framing Contractors (13) and Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors (12), out of 123 inspections opened, federal OSHA and State Plan combined (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data). Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued no citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 to Hawaii construction employers that year. Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH) issued 248 construction citations across 91 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3), Hawaii's own rule on this subject.
How often is Respiratory Protection cited on Hawaii jobsites?
In FY2025, Hawaii's state plan (Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health (HIOSH)) issued 248 construction citations across 91 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Respiratory Protection can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Hawaii's fatality figures are shown above.
Does HIOSH require respirator fit-testing in Hawaii?
Yes. Under 29 CFR 1910.134, any worker required to wear a tight-fitting respirator must pass a fit-test before first use and at least annually, plus a medical evaluation and training. HIOSH, the state's own program, enforces this in Hawaii.
Who enforces respiratory protection (1910.134) in Hawaii?
HIOSH, the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Hawaii runs a full OSHA-approved State Plan, so a state compliance officer inspects and cites 1910.134 in general industry and construction.
Can I get free OSHA help in Hawaii without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Hawaii is Consultation & Training Branch (Department of Labor & Industrial Relations). OSHA describes it this way: "Primarily for smaller businesses, no-cost, confidential consultations help employers identify and address hazards and establish or improve safety and health programs." Consultations are separate from OSHA enforcement, and the employer commits to correcting serious hazards.
Respiratory Protection Guides & Resources
Compare this combination against any other state and standard with the enforcement risk lookup.
Related standards
Respiratory Protection in Other States
13 other state plans write a rule of their own for 29 CFR 1910.134 rather than adopting the federal text unchanged. Those are listed first. Compare all of them side by side.
Alaska8 AAC 61.1030Arizona29 CFR 1910.134 as adopted by A.A.C. R20-5-602, with R20-5-602.02 for Subpart UCalifornia8 CCR §5144, with §5141.1 for wildfire smokeown maxIndiana610 IAC 9-3-1, incorporating 29 CFR 1904.0 to 1904.46 as it existed January 1, 2006own maxMaryland29 CFR 1910.134 as adopted by COMAR 09.12.31.01, with COMAR 09.12.32.05own maxNevadaNRS 618.297 (wildfire smoke air quality)North Carolina13 NCAC 07F .0103, adding a training level to 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6)South CarolinaS.C. Code Ann. Regs. ch. 71, Subarticle 6, modification Gown max
Other OSHA Standards in Hawaii
Sources & verification
Penalty amounts and plan-type data were checked on 2026-10-05 against eCFR, OSHA.gov, and the Federal Register. This page is informational and not legal advice; consult the enforcing agency or counsel for your specific situation.
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OSHA does not give advance notice of inspections (29 CFR 1903.6). Get the binder in order before the opening conference, not during it.
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