29 CFR 1910.1053: OSHA Silica in General Industry and Maritime

Regulatory citation: 29 CFR 1910.1053, Respirable Crystalline Silica (General Industry and Maritime)

What Is the OSHA Silica Standard for General Industry?

Section 1910.1053 protects workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica in general industry and maritime work. Typical operations include foundries, stone and countertop fabrication, glass and concrete product manufacturing, and hydraulic fracturing. The standard sets an exposure limit and requires exposure assessment, controls, respirators, housekeeping rules, medical surveillance and training.

It does not cover construction, which falls under 29 CFR 1926.1153, or agricultural operations under Part 1928. It also excludes exposures from processing sorptive clays. It does not apply where objective data show exposures stay below 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) under any foreseeable conditions.

Why Silica Exposure Matters

Respirable silica particles are small enough to reach deep into the lungs. The standard requires hazard information to address cancer, lung effects, immune system effects and kidney effects.

Core Obligations

1. Keep Exposure Below the PEL (1910.1053(b) and (c))

The permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 50 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA. The action level is 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA. The action level triggers exposure assessment and medical surveillance.

2. Assess Exposure (1910.1053(d))

Employers must assess each employee who is or may be exposed at or above the action level. They can use the performance option, based on air monitoring or objective data, or scheduled monitoring. Under scheduled monitoring, results at or above the action level but at or below the PEL must be repeated within 6 months, and results above the PEL within 3 months. Monitoring may stop after two consecutive results, taken 7 or more days apart, fall below the action level. Employees must be notified within 15 working days, in writing or by posting, with a description of corrective action for any result above the PEL.

3. Set Up Regulated Areas (1910.1053(e))

A regulated area is required wherever exposure is, or can reasonably be expected to be, above the PEL. It must be demarcated, posted with warning signs at all entrances and limited to authorized people.

4. Use Controls and a Written Exposure Control Plan (1910.1053(f))

Engineering and work practice controls must be used to reduce exposure to or below the PEL, unless the employer shows this is not feasible. Where controls are not enough, they must still be used to get as low as feasible, with respirators covering the rest. A written exposure control plan must describe the tasks involving exposure, the controls and respirators used for each task, and housekeeping measures. The plan must be reviewed at least annually.

5. Provide Respirators When Needed (1910.1053(g))

Respirators are required while controls are being installed, where controls are not feasible, where controls do not reach the PEL, and in regulated areas. A respiratory protection program meeting 29 CFR 1910.134 is required.

6. Avoid Dry Sweeping and Compressed Air (1910.1053(h))

Dry sweeping or dry brushing is not allowed where it could contribute to exposure, unless wet sweeping or HEPA vacuuming is not feasible. Compressed air may not be used for cleaning where it could contribute to exposure, unless it is used with a ventilation system that captures the dust cloud or no alternative is feasible.

7. Offer Medical Surveillance (1910.1053(i))

Medical surveillance must be offered at no cost to each employee who will be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year. The initial exam is due within 30 days of initial assignment, unless a qualifying exam was done in the last 3 years. Periodic exams follow at least every 3 years. The employer receives a written medical opinion within 30 days of each exam. A specialist exam must be offered when a chest X-ray is classified 1/0 or higher by a B Reader, or when the licensed health care professional recommends it.

8. Train Workers and Keep Records (1910.1053(j) and (k))

Silica must be included in the hazard communication program. Each covered employee must be trained so they can demonstrate knowledge of silica hazards, tasks that cause exposure, the controls and respirators in use, the standard and the medical surveillance program. Air monitoring, objective data and medical records must be kept in line with 29 CFR 1910.1020.

Common Compliance Approaches

Build a Task-Based Exposure Profile

Group work by task, such as cutting, grinding or bag dumping, and attach monitoring results or objective data to each one. This drives the control plan and shows who reaches the 30-day trigger.

Control Dust at the Source

Wet methods, local exhaust ventilation and enclosed equipment usually do more than respirators alone.

Example: Silica Controls in Practice

A countertop fabrication shop cuts and polishes engineered stone. Initial sampling shows saw operators at 70 µg/m³, above the PEL. The shop sets up a regulated area around the saws, fits respirators under its respiratory protection program and adds water feed to all hand tools. It writes an exposure control plan, bans dry sweeping and resamples within 3 months. Operators who will be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year are sent for baseline medical exams within 30 days of assignment.

Related regulations: OSHA silica in construction, OSHA respiratory protection, OSHA Hazard Communication.

Note: This summary covers federal OSHA requirements for general industry and maritime. Construction work is covered by 29 CFR 1926.1153. State plan states may set stricter rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this standard apply to construction work?

No. Construction is covered by 29 CFR 1926.1153. A general industry employer may follow 1926.1153 instead for a task indistinguishable from a Table 1 construction task, if it is not done regularly in the same conditions.

When do I have to offer medical exams?

When an employee will be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year. The first exam is due within 30 days of initial assignment, and periodic exams follow at least every 3 years.

Can I use objective data instead of air sampling?

Yes. Under the performance option, objective data or a combination of data and monitoring can be used to assess exposure, as long as the result accurately characterizes each employee's exposure.