Dust from Construction – Protect Yourself!

Construction Silica, or Respirable Crystalline Silica, is a serious threat to nearly 2 million American workers, including more than 100,000 in high risk jobs such as abrasive blasting, foundry work, stonecutting, rock drilling, quarry work, and tunneling. The dust is considered a human lung carcinogen that if breathed can lead to silicosis and tuberculosis.

If you work around construction silica, formulating a Respirable Crystalline Silica Dust Plan is the first step in building a safe work environment. Below is a list of the most frequently cited sections of the Construction Silica Standard. Good news, SafetyPlans.com covers them all!

  • [1926.1153] – Crystalline Silica Dust Program
  • [1926.1153(c)] – Exposure Control Methods
  • [1926.1153(e)] – Personal Protective Equipment/ Respiratory Protection
  • [1926.1153(i)(2)] – Training

Does the Crystalline Silica standard apply to me?

In construction, silica exposures come with working with materials containing silica. Grinding, drilling, sawing, cutting or chipping concrete, stone, cement or cement fiberboard would all be examples of potential silica exposures. If you perform any of these tasks with regularity, it is likely the standard applies.

Learn more about crystalline silica standards at osha.gov.

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Construction Silica

Revision: 0
Date: 12/5/2024
Prepared by:
Approved by:

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Respirable Crystalline Silica Program has been established by Acme Inc. to protect employees from occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica. This program is designed to provide a safe and healthful workplace and to satisfy the requirements of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) 29 CFR 1926.1153.

2.0 RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Competent Person

2.1.1 Overall administration of the Respirable Crystalline Silica Program.

2.1.2 Perform personal occupational exposure sampling.

2.1.3 Notify employees of their occupational exposure sampling results.

2.1.4 Recommend appropriate administrative controls and personal protective equipment (PPE).

2.1.5 Provide respirable crystalline silica training for employees.

2.1.6 Evaluate new equipment and process changes relative to the potential for occupational exposures.

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