OSHA 1926.1153: respirable crystalline silica
Under 29 CFR 1926.1153, employers must control respirable crystalline silica exposure in construction unless it will stay below 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA. For tasks on Table 1, the employer must fully and properly implement the controls and respiratory protection listed for the task.
Official text
(a) Scope and application. This section applies to all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction work, except where employee exposure will remain below 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air (25 µg/m 3) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) under any foreseeable conditions.Read the full section on eCFR
(c)(1) For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer shall fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section.Read the full section on eCFR
(c)(3) Where an employee performs more than one task on Table 1 during the course of a shift, and the total duration of all tasks combined is more than four hours, the required respiratory protection for each task is the respiratory protection specified for more than four hours per shift. If the total duration of all tasks on Table 1 combined is less than four hours, the required respiratory protection for each task is the respiratory protection specified for less than four hours per shift.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- The standard applies to all construction exposures to respirable crystalline silica unless exposure will remain below 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions.
- For a task on Table 1, the employer fully and properly implements the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection listed, or assesses and limits exposure under paragraph (d).
- When a worker does more than one Table 1 task in a shift totaling more than four hours, the respirator required for each task is the one specified for more than four hours per shift.
Where it shows up on site
- Dry cutting concrete, block or brick with a handheld saw
- Grinding or chipping concrete with visible dust and no water or vacuum
- Dust from cutting drifting over workers nearby
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Does the material contain crystalline silica, such as concrete, masonry, stone or some fiber-cement products?
- Is the task listed on Table 1, and is the employer following Table 1 or assessing exposure under paragraph (d)?
- Is the work indoors, in an enclosed area or outdoors, and how long does each worker do the task during the shift?
- Is the tool’s water delivery or dust collection working as the Table 1 entry requires?
- Are workers wearing the respirator Table 1 specifies, and are they in a respiratory protection program?
Typical corrective actions
- Stop dry cutting or grinding until the tool’s Table 1 control, such as integrated water or a dust collector, is working.
- Match the task, location and shift duration to its Table 1 entry and issue the respirator it specifies.
- Keep other workers out of the dust area and clean up with wet methods or HEPA vacuums rather than dry sweeping.
- Have the competent person review the written exposure control plan for the task.
Common questions
When does the OSHA silica standard apply to construction work?
It applies to all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction, except where employee exposure will remain below 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions, per 1926.1153(a).
What is Table 1 in the silica standard?
Table 1 lists common construction tasks with the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection for each. Under 1926.1153(c)(1), an employer that fully and properly implements those controls for a listed task does not have to assess exposure under paragraph (d).
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.