Silica Dust Control

29 CFR 1926.1153 · This talk in Spanish

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Why it matters

That white cloud when you cut concrete or block is crystalline silica, and OSHA says about 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to it at work. Silicosis has no cure and can show up years after the exposure. OSHA's silica rule sets the controls; water and vacuums are cheap, lungs are not.

Hazards

⚠ Dry-cutting concrete, block, brick, or stone
⚠ Dry-sweeping dust instead of vacuuming or wetting it
⚠ Grinding and coring without dust collection
⚠ Dust drifting onto coworkers downwind of the cut
⚠ Respirators worn wrong or not at all during high-exposure tasks

Controls and safe practices

✓ Cut wet. Use tools with integrated water delivery to knock dust down at the blade.
✓ Where wet methods are not possible, use tools with shrouds connected to HEPA vacuums.
✓ Follow Table 1 of the silica standard for your task and the required respiratory protection.
✓ Never dry sweep. Use a HEPA vacuum or wet methods for cleanup.
✓ Position cutting stations downwind and away from other workers.
✓ If your task requires a respirator, you need a fit test and medical evaluation first.

What the OSHA standard says

Exact words from the official text, with a link to each paragraph.

“For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer shall fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1”

29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1)

“The employer shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible.”

29 CFR 1926.1153(f)(1)

“The employer shall establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements:”

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1)

“The employer shall designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan.”

29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(4)

By the numbers

OSHA says about 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work. (OSHA, Silica, Crystalline Safety and Health Topic page)

Site check before the talk

Walk the site and tick each line. Each line comes from the text quoted above.

☐For each Table 1 task, use the listed controls, work practices, and respirator. (29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1))
☐No dry sweeping or brushing of silica dust; use wet sweeping or a HEPA vacuum. (29 CFR 1926.1153(f)(1))
☐Have a written exposure control plan on site. (29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1))
☐Know who the competent person is who inspects the site for the plan. (29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(4))

Quotes checked word for word against the official eCFR text on October 5, 2026. This is a summary for a crew talk, not legal advice; the full official text governs. How we check

Crew discussion questions

Which tasks today involve cutting, grinding, or coring concrete or masonry?
Is the water feed or vacuum on every saw actually working?
Who is working downwind of the cutting station?
Where does the dusty cleanup go: vacuum or wet, never the broom?

Applicable OSHA standards

29 CFR 1926.1153

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