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29 CFR 1926.1153: Silica dust in construction

Subpart Z—Toxic and Hazardous Substances · official heading: Respirable crystalline silica

Cutting, grinding or drilling concrete, stone and brick makes silica dust. Employers must use the controls listed in the rule's Table 1 or measure exposure, keep a written exposure control plan, and offer medical exams to workers who must wear a respirator 30 or more days a year.

7,523citations since 2015
2,977employers cited
79%serious, willful or repeat
$0median penalty per item

OSHA has cited 29 CFR 1926.1153 7,523 times since 2015, against 2,977 employers. Penalties on these items add up to $9,946,444 at their current amounts.

Citations per year

The parts of the rule cited most

1926.1153(c)(1) · 2,078 citations

(c) Specified exposure control methods. (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.

1926.1153(d)(2)(i) · 1,553 citations

(2) Exposure assessment—(i) General. The employer shall assess the exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.

1926.1153(g)(1) · 1,372 citations

(g) Written exposure control plan. (1) The employer shall establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements:

1926.1153(i)(2)(i) · 557 citations

(2) Employee information and training. (i) The employer shall ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following:

1926.1153(i)(1) · 528 citations

(i) Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees—(1) Hazard communication. The employer shall include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200). The employer shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and paragraph (i)(2) of this section. The employer shall ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.

1926.1153(g)(4) · 214 citations

(4) The employer shall designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan.

1926.1153(e)(2) · 195 citations

(2) Respiratory protection program. Where respirator use is required by this section, the employer shall institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

1926.1153(f)(1) · 124 citations

(f) Housekeeping. (1) The employer shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible.

Industries cited most

  • Construction 6,790
  • Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 272
  • Manufacturing 91
  • Public Administration 47
  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 46
  • Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 43

States cited most

Recently cited employers