Silica Exposure Control Plan (OSHA 1926.1153)
OSHA requires construction employers whose workers may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica to have a written exposure control plan under 29 CFR 1926.1153. The plan must describe the tasks that create silica exposure, the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used for each task, and the housekeeping measures that limit exposure. A designated competent person must implement the plan, and exposed workers must be trained. Cutting, grinding, drilling, or breaking concrete, masonry, and stone are the common exposure tasks.
What the written plan must contain
- ✓ A description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica
- ✓ The engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used for each task
- ✓ Housekeeping measures used to limit exposure (no dry sweeping or compressed air where alternatives exist)
- ✓ The designated competent person responsible for implementing the plan
- ✓ Procedures to restrict access to areas with high exposure
Table 1 makes compliance simpler
The silica standard includes Table 1, a list of common construction tasks (like using a handheld saw or a jackhammer) with specified controls such as water delivery or dust collection and, in some cases, respiratory protection. If you fully and properly implement the Table 1 control for a task, you do not have to separately measure worker exposure for it. Most small contractors comply through Table 1 rather than air monitoring.
Silica is one of OSHA's significant construction health standards, and it is frequently cited when contractors cut or grind concrete without water or dust controls and without a written plan.
Get the silica plan in your program
TailgateDocs includes a silica exposure control section, matched to the tasks your trade performs, in the written safety program ($149), citing 1926.1153 from a verified standards table. Concrete, masonry, and demolition trades especially need it on file for GCs and prequal portals.
Common questions
▸Who needs a silica exposure control plan?
Any construction employer whose workers may be exposed to respirable crystalline silica, which includes almost anyone who cuts, grinds, drills, or breaks concrete, masonry, brick, or stone. The written plan is required under 1926.1153.
▸What is Table 1?
A list in the silica standard of common construction tasks with specified controls. Fully implementing the listed control for a task lets you skip separate exposure monitoring for it, which is how most small contractors comply.
▸Do I need air monitoring for silica?
Not if you fully and correctly follow the Table 1 control for the task. If you do not use Table 1, you must assess exposure by monitoring and meet the permissible exposure limit through your own controls.
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