Silica Exposure Compliance

Document Type: Program
Version: 1.0
Last Updated: February 2026
Distribute To: All Field Personnel, Safety

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Purpose

Establish procedures for controlling crystalline silica exposure to comply with OSHA requirements and protect worker health.

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⚠️ CRITICAL HEALTH HAZARD

Silica Exposure Causes:

• Silicosis (incurable lung disease)
• Lung cancer
• COPD
• Kidney disease

No Safe Level:

Damage is cumulative and irreversible.

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What is Crystalline Silica?

Found In:

• Concrete
• Morite
• Stone
• Sand
• Brick
• Tile
• Granite

Exposure Sources:

• Cutting concrete/masonry
• Grinding
• Drilling
• Chipping
• Demolition
• Sweeping dry dust
• Sandblasting

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OSHA Requirements

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):

50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) as 8-hour TWA

Action Level:

25 μg/m³ - triggers medical surveillance

Key Requirements:

1. Exposure assessment
2. Engineering controls
3. Respiratory protection
4. Medical surveillance
5. Training
6. Housekeeping
7. Written exposure control plan

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Table 1 Compliance

OSHA Table 1:

Pre-specified controls for common tasks. If you follow Table 1 exactly, no exposure monitoring required.

Common Table 1 Tasks:

Task	Equipment	Control Required
Stationary masonry saw	Integrated water	Continuous water flow
Handheld power saw	Integrated water	Continuous water flow
Handheld grinder	Shroud + vacuum	HEPA vacuum
Walk-behind saw	Integrated water	Continuous water flow
Drilling (handheld)	Vacuum + shroud	HEPA vacuum
Jackhammer	Water spray	Continuous spray
Rotary hammer	Vacuum + shroud	HEPA vacuum

Table 1 Requirements:

• Use specified equipment
• Operate per manufacturer instructions
• Inspect equipment daily
• Use all specified controls

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Exposure Control Plan

Written Plan Required:

Must Include:

1. Tasks with silica exposure
2. Engineering controls used
3. Work practices
4. Respiratory protection
5. Housekeeping procedures
6. Medical surveillance procedures
7. Training program

Competent Person:

Designate someone capable of:

• Identifying silica hazards
• Implementing exposure controls
• Having authority to correct

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Engineering Controls

Hierarchy (Most to Least Effective):

1. Elimination: Can task be eliminated?
2. Substitution: Less dusty method?
3. Isolation: Enclose operation
4. Engineering: Wet methods, LEV
5. Administrative: Reduce exposure time
6. PPE: Respirators (last resort)

Common Controls:

Wet Methods:

• Water to saw/drill
• Water spray at point of dust
• Continuous, not intermittent
• Capture dust before airborne

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV):

• Vacuum at source
• HEPA filtration
• Maintained properly
• Sufficient capture velocity

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Respiratory Protection

When Required:

• During exposure above PEL
• When engineering controls insufficient
• During Table 1 tasks as specified

Respirator Selection:

Exposure Level	Minimum Respirator
≤ 1.25 mg/m³	N95
≤ 2.5 mg/m³	Half-face APR, P100
≤ 50 mg/m³	Full-face APR, P100
> 50 mg/m³	PAPR or SAR

Respirator Program Required:

• Written program
• Medical evaluation
• Fit testing
• Training
• Maintenance

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Medical Surveillance

Required When:

• Exposed above action level (25 μg/m³) for 30+ days/year
• Using respirator 30+ days/year per standard

Examinations Include:

• Medical history
• Physical exam
• Chest X-ray
• Pulmonary function test

Frequency:

• Initial (within 30 days)
• Every 3 years (or annually if signs/symptoms)

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Training Requirements

All Exposed Workers Must Know:

• Health hazards of silica
• Tasks that create exposure
• Controls used on site
• Respirator use and limitations
• Medical surveillance availability
• Purpose and content of program

When to Train:

• Initial (before exposure)
• When tasks change
• Periodically reinforced

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Housekeeping

Required Practices:

DO:

• Use wet sweeping
• Use HEPA vacuum
• Keep dust down
• Clean as you go

DO NOT:

• Dry sweep
• Use compressed air for cleaning
• Let dust accumulate
• Track dust to other areas

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Silica Exposure Checklist

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        SILICA EXPOSURE CONTROL CHECKLIST
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Project: ___________________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________________

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TASK IDENTIFICATION:
☐ Silica-generating tasks identified
☐ Table 1 requirements reviewed
☐ Controls specified

ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
☐ Wet methods used where applicable
☐ LEV/vacuum used where applicable
☐ Controls operating properly
☐ Equipment inspected

WORK PRACTICES:
☐ Workers trained
☐ Dust minimized
☐ Exposure time limited
☐ Housekeeping maintained

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:
☐ Appropriate respirators provided
☐ Medical evaluations current
☐ Fit testing current
☐ Respirators properly maintained

HOUSEKEEPING:
☐ Wet sweeping or HEPA vacuum
☐ No dry sweeping
☐ No compressed air cleaning
☐ Dust controlled

DOCUMENTATION:
☐ Exposure control plan on site
☐ Training documented
☐ Medical surveillance current
☐ Competent person designated

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Inspected By: _______________________  Date: ________________

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Subcontractor Compliance

GC Responsibilities:

• Inform subs of silica hazards
• Coordinate to prevent exposure to others
• Verify sub compliance
• Include in safety program

Sub Responsibilities:

• Own exposure control plan
• Own respiratory program
• Train own employees
• Control own operations

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Related Documents

• Respiratory Protection Program
• PPE Requirements
• Safety Training
• JHA Procedure

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OSHA References

• 29 CFR 1926.1153 (Construction Silica Standard)
• OSHA Table 1 (Specified Controls)
• Small Entity Compliance Guide

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Template provided by support.construction. Silica kills - control exposure.