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Silica Exposure Compliance

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

Purpose​

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

⚠️ CRITICAL HEALTH HAZARD​

Silica Exposure Causes:​

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

No Safe Level:​

Damage is cumulative and irreversible.

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

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

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:​

TaskEquipmentControl Required
Stationary masonry sawIntegrated waterContinuous water flow
Handheld power sawIntegrated waterContinuous water flow
Handheld grinderShroud + vacuumHEPA vacuum
Walk-behind sawIntegrated waterContinuous water flow
Drilling (handheld)Vacuum + shroudHEPA vacuum
JackhammerWater sprayContinuous spray
Rotary hammerVacuum + shroudHEPA vacuum

Table 1 Requirements:​

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

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

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

Respiratory Protection​

When Required:​

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

Respirator Selection:​

Exposure LevelMinimum Respirator
≤ 1.25 mg/m³N95
≤ 2.5 mg/m³Half-face APR, P100
≤ 50 mg/m³Full-face APR, P100
> 50 mg/m³PAPR or SAR

Respirator Program Required:​

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

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)

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

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

Silica Exposure Checklist​

================================================================
        SILICA EXPOSURE CONTROL CHECKLIST
================================================================

Project: ___________________________________________________

Date: _____________________________________________________

================================================================

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

================================================================

Inspected By: _______________________  Date: ________________

================================================================

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

OSHA References​

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

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