Respirable crystalline silica is one of OSHA's more prescriptive standards. 1926.1153 requires a written exposure control plan, medical surveillance, respirator program, and specific engineering controls or Table 1 tasks. Most contractors don't have half of what's required.
What Triggers The Standard
Any construction task that could generate respirable crystalline silica dust. That's a lot: concrete cutting, drilling, coring, chipping; masonry cutting; abrasive blasting; sanding; grinding on concrete or stone; jackhammering; tuck-pointing; road resurfacing.
What Must Be In The Written Program
- Description of tasks with silica exposure potential
- Engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection for each task
- Housekeeping procedures — no dry sweeping or compressed air on silica dust
- Written exposure control plan — reviewed at least annually
- Competent person designation for silica
- Medical surveillance for workers exposed above the action level
- Respirator program per 1910.134
- Training documentation
Table 1 vs Air Monitoring
OSHA gives contractors two paths:
- Table 1 — use the specified engineering controls and respiratory protection for listed tasks. No air monitoring required if you fully implement Table 1.
- Alternative Exposure Control — do your own air monitoring and demonstrate exposures below the PEL.
Most contractors use Table 1 because it's simpler. But you must fully implement — half-measures don't qualify.
What's In The Forbes Silica Pack
- Written silica exposure control plan
- Task-specific control checklist (Table 1 format)
- Medical surveillance program
- Respirator program (silica-specific)
- Housekeeping procedure
- Silica-specific training log
- Air monitoring log (if using alternative method)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the OSHA PEL for silica?
50 micrograms per cubic meter as an 8-hour TWA (29 CFR 1926.1153). Action level is 25 μg/m³. Above the action level triggers medical surveillance requirements. Above the PEL triggers respiratory protection requirements.
Can I use Table 1 for all my silica tasks?
Table 1 covers 18 specific construction tasks — walk-behind saws, hand saws, drills, jackhammers, dowel drilling, etc. If your task is on the list AND you use the specified controls, no air monitoring is needed. If your task isn't on Table 1, or you can't implement all the controls, you need the alternative exposure control method.
Do I need medical surveillance for all silica-exposed workers?
Only for workers exposed above the action level (25 μg/m³) for 30 or more days per year. But documentation of who is and isn't above the action level requires either Table 1 compliance or air monitoring. In practice, if workers do any silica-generating work regularly, medical surveillance is safer.
Can I dry sweep silica dust?
No. 1926.1153(f)(3) prohibits dry sweeping and use of compressed air for cleaning of silica-containing dust. Must use HEPA-filtered vacuum, wet methods, or other approved cleaning methods.
Do welders need silica protection?
If welding on materials with silica content (concrete, refractory, stone), yes. Most steel welding doesn't generate silica dust. Cutting rebar in concrete definitely does. Task-by-task evaluation is required.
What's the biggest silica citation risk?
Missing written exposure control plan. This is required regardless of exposure levels — even if you're fully compliant with engineering controls, the plan must exist and be reviewed annually. Missing plan = automatic citation on inspection.