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Work Tasks2
Exposure Controls3
Medical / Air4
Programme5
Analysis6
Results🪨 OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153
Free Silica in Construction
Compliance Checker
Compliance Checker
Check your respirable crystalline silica compliance against OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 in under 3 minutes. Covers all construction tasks that generate silica dust. Identify exposure control gaps, medical surveillance failures, and training deficiencies. Get a downloadable PDF report.
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OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 (Silica in Construction)🏗
All construction tasks that disturb silica-containing materials🖶
Free downloadable PDF report✅
No sign-up, no credit card, no limit🪨
Step 1 of 4
Which silica-generating tasks are performed?
OSHA 1926.1153 uses a Table 1 approach: for specified tasks, employers who fully implement the listed engineering and work practice controls are not required to measure silica exposure. Select all tasks performed at your site.
🚨 What is respirable crystalline silica? Silica (SiO2) is found in concrete, brick, mortar, stone, sand, and grout. When cut, ground, drilled, or crushed, fine dust particles (RCS) are released that can penetrate deep into the lungs. OSHA PEL is 50 micrograms per cubic metre as an 8-hour TWA.
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Handheld grinder on masonryAngle grinding concrete, brick, stone
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Walk-behind saw cutting concrete or masonryDry or wet cutting slabs, pavers
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Handheld or stand-mounted sawCutting concrete block, brick, tile
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Jackhammer or rotary hammer drillingBreaking up concrete or rock
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Chipping concrete or masonryChiselling, scarifying, scabbling
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Tuckpointing or grooving masonryMortar removal and repointing
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Dry sweeping silica-containing dustSweeping concrete or masonry debris
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Abrasive blasting with silica sandSand blasting surfaces
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Rock or concrete core drillingCoring, boring through concrete
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Demolition of concrete or masonry structuresWrecking ball, mechanical demolition
Step 2 of 4
Engineering controls and Table 1 compliance
OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1 specifies required engineering controls for each construction task. Employers who fully implement Table 1 controls avoid the need for air monitoring. Answer based on your actual site practices.
📌 Table 1 Control Summary: Water suppression (wet methods) and local exhaust ventilation (LEV/vacuum) are the two primary controls. The required control depends on the specific task and equipment used.
| Task | Required Control | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Select your tasks in Step 1 to see required controls here. | ||
Where wet methods (water suppression) are required by Table 1, is water continuously applied during cutting, grinding, or drilling to suppress dust at the source?
Wet methods must keep the work material wet throughout the operation — not just a quick spray at the start. Intermittent wetting is not compliant. Water must flow continuously during cutting or grinding
Where local exhaust ventilation (LEV / integrated vacuum) is required, is it operating continuously and capturing dust at the point of generation?
LEV systems must be matched to the tool — a grinder requires a shroud and vacuum rated for fine dust. The vacuum must use a HEPA filter to prevent recirculating fine silica particles back into the air. Filters must be maintained per manufacturer requirements
Is dry sweeping or dry compressed air blowing of silica-containing dust prohibited? Are wet sweeping, vacuuming, or other dust-suppressing methods used instead?
OSHA 1926.1153 prohibits using compressed air to clean clothing or surfaces if it could expose workers to silica above the action level. Dry sweeping raises previously settled fine dust back into the breathing zone. Use a HEPA vacuum or wet methods instead
Where engineering controls alone cannot reduce silica exposure to or below the PEL (50 micrograms per cubic metre), are workers using NIOSH-approved respirators with at least N95 filtration?
Respirators are a last-resort control under the hierarchy of controls — engineering controls come first. Where required, respirators must be selected based on the exposure level, fit-tested, and used within a written respiratory protection programme per OSHA 1910.134
Step 3 of 4
Medical surveillance and air monitoring
OSHA 1926.1153 requires medical surveillance for workers exposed at or above the action level (25 micrograms per cubic metre) for 30 or more days per year. Answer based on your actual programme.
Are workers who are exposed to silica at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year enrolled in a medical surveillance programme?
OSHA 1926.1153(h): medical surveillance must be offered within 30 days of initial assignment and every 3 years thereafter for workers exposed at or above the action level (25 micrograms per cubic metre) for 30 or more days per year. It must include a chest X-ray, pulmonary function test, and TB risk assessment
Where Table 1 controls are not fully implemented, has air monitoring been conducted to assess worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica?
OSHA 1926.1153(d)(2): employers who do not fully implement Table 1 controls must assess each worker’s exposure by air monitoring (sampling), a performance option based on objective data, or the scheduled monitoring option. Exposure must be kept at or below the PEL of 50 micrograms per cubic metre
Are workers prohibited from eating, drinking, or using tobacco products in areas where silica exposure occurs, and are separate clean areas provided?
OSHA 1926.1153(j): workers must wash hands and face before eating, drinking, smoking, or using the toilet when exposed to silica. This prevents ingestion of silica dust, which causes separate gastrointestinal hazards beyond the lung disease risk
Is silica-containing waste and debris cleaned up using wet methods or a HEPA vacuum (not dry sweeping or compressed air blowing)?
OSHA 1926.1153(f): dry sweeping, dry brushing, or compressed air cleaning that could expose workers to silica above the action level is prohibited where feasible alternatives exist. HEPA vacuuming or wet methods must be used
Step 4 of 4
Written Exposure Control Plan and worker training
OSHA 1926.1153(g) requires a Written Exposure Control Plan (WECP) for all construction work involving silica exposure. Training must be provided before workers begin silica-generating tasks. Answer based on your actual programme.
Does your site have a Written Exposure Control Plan (WECP) that identifies silica tasks, describes the engineering controls in use, and specifies the competent person responsible for implementation?
OSHA 1926.1153(g)(1): a WECP is required for all construction work that involves silica. It must describe the engineering and work practice controls, respiratory protection requirements, housekeeping measures, and the competent person overseeing the plan. Generic downloaded plans do not satisfy the site-specific requirement
Has a competent person been designated to implement the WECP, perform frequent and regular inspections, and correct silica control deficiencies?
OSHA 1926.1153(g)(4): a competent person must make frequent and regular inspections of the job site to implement the WECP. They must have the knowledge to identify silica hazards and the authority to take corrective action immediately
Have all workers who perform silica-generating tasks received training covering: health effects of silica, specific tasks that generate silica dust, and controls used to limit exposure?
OSHA 1926.1153(i): training must cover the health hazards of silica, activities that expose workers to silica, measures workers can take to protect themselves (including the WECP content), and the purpose and description of the medical surveillance programme
Are air monitoring records, medical surveillance records, and WECP documents maintained and made available to workers on request?
OSHA 1926.1153(l): air monitoring records must be kept for 30 years. Medical surveillance records must be kept for the duration of employment plus 30 years. Workers must be able to access their own records. WECP must be available at the job site
Have there been any silica-related worker health complaints, silicosis diagnoses among site workers, or OSHA silica citations at this site or company?
Silicosis is irreversible and progressive. Workers who develop silicosis from site exposure may file OSHA complaints years after exposure. Prior citations or health complaints are strong indicators of programme failure requiring immediate corrective action
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Analyzing Your Silica Compliance…
Evaluating your site against OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 Respirable Crystalline Silica requirements.
Reviewing silica-generating tasks…
Evaluating Table 1 engineering controls…
Checking medical surveillance and WECP…
Generating prioritised recommendations…