In Iowa, 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 Iowa OSHA (IOSH).
29 CFR 1910.134 · Iowa
Respiratory Protection Requirements in Iowa
Respiratory Protection in Iowa: 2026 penalties, who enforces 29 CFR 1910.134, the paragraphs cited and free tools.
Verified vs OSHA sources · 2026-10-05
IowaGeneral Industry (29 CFR 1910)State Plan: Iowa OSHA (IOSH)
In FY2025, Iowa OSHA (IOSH) cited 29 CFR 1910.134 1 time in Iowa construction (0.3% of its construction citations there, the 47th most-cited standard there). The paragraph cited most was 1910.134(h)(2)(i) with 1 citation.
1
1910.134 citations in Iowa construction, FY2025
(h)(2)(i)
paragraph cited most in Iowa (1 citation)
12.5
fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time workers in construction, Iowa, 2024 (BLS)
Iowa 29 CFR 1910.134 Enforcement, FY2025
Verified · 2026-08-081
citations of 29 CFR 1910.134 (FY2025)
$3,349
penalties for this standard
0.3%
of the state's 286 construction citations
In FY2025, Iowa OSHA (IOSH) cited 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) 1 times on Iowa construction jobsites with $3,349 in penalties for it (current amounts), about 0.3% of every construction citation the state issued that year. That put it 47th on Iowa's most-cited construction list for FY2025.
What Iowa's own rule says
Respiratory protection is adopted federal text in Iowa, reached through the notice list in 481—210.4(88). The program, medical evaluation and fit-testing duties are the federal ones. What Iowa adds around them is the interpretive rule at 481—210.2(88): only mandatory provisions of an incorporated standard are adopted, which matters when a respiratory program leans on an ANSI or NIOSH document pulled in by reference rather than on the text of 1910.134 itself.
29 CFR 1910.134 as adopted by 481—210.4(88)The duty matches the federal text. Only the citation number differs.
Read in Iowa OSHA (IOSH)'s own rule text · verified 2026-08-08
Harmful exposures and work deaths in Iowa, 2024
Iowa recorded 83 fatal work injuries in 2024, down from 91 in 2023. Exposure to harmful substances or environments caused 12 of them (14%). Construction accounted for 15.
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, Iowa, 2024
How Iowa Enforces 29 CFR 1910.134
Iowa runs an OSHA-approved State Plan administered by Iowa OSHA (IOSH), which covers private-sector construction. Its compliance officers enforce Iowa'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 adopted by 481—210.4(88). Iowa OSHA (IOSH) cited 29 CFR 1910.134 1 time in Iowa construction in FY2025 (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards). Iowa applies the federal penalty maximums.
In Iowa, the FY2025 citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 went most often to Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (1). A single inspection can produce several per-instance citations. Recurring self-audits against 29 CFR 1910.134, before an officer arrives, are the most reliable defense.
HazComFast records the state of every jobsite and shows that the Iowa State Plan governs it. Start free
Help and oversight in Iowa
Free, confidential help: OSHA On-Site Consultation
In Iowa, the program is IOSHA Consultation Program (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing). 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.
Iowa 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) |
Iowa applies the federal OSHA maximums. Amounts are ceilings per violation. Iowa OSHA (IOSH) 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 Iowa: Iowa OSHA (IOSH) inspects private employers, construction included, under an OSHA-approved State Plan. Iowa OSHA (IOSH) 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.
Most-Cited Respiratory Protection Paragraphs in Iowa, FY2025
Iowa OSHA (IOSH) issued 1 citation under 29 CFR 1910.134 to Iowa construction employers in FY2025. The paragraphs cited most, with the official text. A serious violation carries up to $16,550.
- 1
1910.134(h)(2)(i) 1 citation
“All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage, contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive moisture, and damaging chemicals, and they shall be packed or stored to …”
HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), by the paragraph cited. Paragraph text: eCFR, current as of September 24, 2026. data.dol.gov
Iowa Safety & Enforcement Profile
286
FY2025 construction citations
Iowa OSHA (IOSH)
Enforces private construction
- Construction trades inspected most in Iowa, FY2025: Commercial and Institutional Building Construction (51), Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (24) and Roofing Contractors (20), out of 206 inspections opened (federal OSHA and State Plan combined).
- Cited most under 29 CFR 1910.134 in Iowa, FY2025: Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (1), of 1 citations.
- Construction fatality rate in Iowa, 2024: 12.5 per 100,000 full-time workers, 9th highest of the 40 states BLS published (all industries: 5.2).
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. HazComFast count from the Labor Department's OSHA enforcement data: citations issued in FY2025 to construction employers (NAICS 23), grouped by the cited 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 Iowa
Which Iowa construction trades are cited most under Respiratory Protection?
In FY2025, Iowa OSHA (IOSH) issued 1 citations under 29 CFR 1910.134 to Iowa construction employers, most often to Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction (1) (HazComFast count from Labor Department enforcement data, by the cited employer's NAICS industry). Iowa OSHA (IOSH) inspects these employers directly and may apply requirements beyond the federal standard. For context, Iowa OSHA (IOSH) issued 286 construction citations across 88 inspections in FY2025. Companies in these trades should self-audit against 29 CFR 1910.134 on a recurring basis.
How often is Respiratory Protection cited on Iowa jobsites?
In FY2025, Iowa's state plan (Iowa OSHA (IOSH)) issued 286 construction citations across 88 inspections (OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23). Respiratory Protection can be cited during any of them: programmed, complaint-driven or post-accident. Iowa's fatality figures are shown above.
Does Iowa OSHA require respirator fit-testing?
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. Iowa OSHA, the state's own program, enforces this in Iowa.
Who enforces respiratory protection (1910.134) in Iowa?
Iowa OSHA, part of the Iowa Division of Labor within Iowa Workforce Development. Iowa 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 Iowa without an inspection?
Yes. OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program in Iowa is IOSHA Consultation Program (Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing). 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.
How often does Iowa cite 29 CFR 1910.134 in construction?
In FY2025, Iowa OSHA (IOSH) cited 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) 1 times on Iowa construction jobsites, with $3,349 in penalties for that standard alone (current amounts), about 0.3% of the 286 construction citations the state issued that year. (Source: OSHA Frequently Cited Standards, NAICS 23; verified 2026-08-08.)
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
14 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 maxHawaii29 CFR 1910.134 as incorporated by HAR §12-60-50(a), with the air contaminant exhibits at (d)(3)Indiana610 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)
Other OSHA Standards in Iowa
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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