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Decontaminating an SCBA's second-stage regulator

Summary A respirator maker asked whether an SCBA's mask-mounted second-stage regulator must be cleaned when the wearer's exhalation valve is in that regulator. OSHA said it must be cleaned and decontaminated under the respiratory protection rule, along with meeting the rule's other requirements.
Document
Federal opinion letter
Agency
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Document number
1998-11-02
Date issued
November 2, 1998
Status
Active
OSHA's posted letter notes a correction on October 20, 2006.
Status last verified October 9, 2026
Topics
Workplace Safety OSHA 1910 Respiratory Protection Decontamination
Source
View the official document

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[November 2, 1998]
Richard Graham
Mine Safety Appliances Company
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Mr. Graham:
This is in reply to your letter, dated October 21, 1998, concerning SCBAs designed so that the exhalation valve is part of the mask mounted second stage regulator. You state that this SCBA does not have an inhalation or exhalation valve in the facepiece. Thus, the regulator is also contaminated by the wearer as evidenced by the presence of moisture inside the regulator when the unit is doffed.
You questioned whether the second stage regulator needs to be decontaminated in addition to the actual facepiece when the respirator is used for emergency use. The regulator would need to be cleaned and decontaminated as required by 29 CFR 1910.134(h)(1)(iii). Please note that the standard would require that such respirators meet all other requirements as detailed in the standard, e.g., NIOSH approval, air quality, etc.
Please contact this office if we may be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
KENNETH W. GERECKE
Assistant Regional Administrator
[Corrected 10/20/06]

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