Introduction

Exposures to crystalline silica are addressed in specific standards for the construction industry.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards and the Regulatory Agenda (a list of actions being taken with regard to OSHA standards) related to crystalline silica in the construction industry.

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926.55, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
  • Appendix A, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
• 1926.57, Ventilation

• For additional information on specific state plans or other general standards, see the general industry OSHA Standards section.

Regulatory Agenda

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry on crystalline silica.

Hazard Recognition

Silicosis is a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease caused by overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. The following references aid in recognizing crystalline silica hazards in the workplace.

• Crystalline Silica Exposure Card for Construction. OSHA, (2002). A Spanish version is also available. Discusses what silica is, what are its hazards, and what employers and employees can do to protect against exposures to silica.
• Crystalline Silica Exposure in the Construction Industry. OSHA. Also available as a 55 KB PDF, 2 pages.
• "Crystalline Silica Exposure" Health Hazard Information for Construction Employees. OSHA Publication 3177, (2002). Also available as a 38 KB PDF, 2 pages and a 42 KB PDF (Spanish version). Discusses what silica is, what are its hazards, and what employers and employees can do to protect against exposures to silica.
• Crystalline Silica Exposures in Construction. OSHA (Ellen I. Roznowski), (1997, July). Includes case studies and OSHA enforcement data.
• Silicosis: Learn the Facts. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-108, (2004). Contains information on silica dust, silicosis disease, its symptoms, protective measures and which respirators to use.
• Silicosis in Sandblasters: A Case Study Adapted for Use in U.S. High Schools. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-105, (2002, June). Provides a case study developed for use in teaching epidemiology to high school students. Includes basic information about the disease silicosis, potential routes of exposure to silica, and controls.
• Control of Hazardous Dust during Tuckpointing. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-126, (2008, September).
• Preventing Silicosis and Deaths in Construction Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-112, (1996). Contains information on crystalline silica, silicosis disease, exposure limits, case studies, and examples of exposures at construction sites.
• Preventing Silicosis and Deaths from Sandblasting. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102, (1992, August). Contains silica hazard information for abrasive blasting.
• Preventing Silicosis and Death in Rock Drillers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107, (1992, August). Contains silica hazard information for rock drillers.
• Prevention of Silicosis Deaths. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-124, (1993). Describes silica hazards in sandblasting operations.
• Flanagan ME, Loewenherz C, et al. Indoor wet concrete cutting and coring exposure evaluation. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 2001 Dec;16(12):1097-100.
• Simcox NJ, Logren D, et al. Silica exposure during granite counter top fabrication. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 1999;14(9):577-82.
• Silicosis in Construction. Demolition Magazine (John A. Mineo), (1997, Mar-Apr). Summarizes silicosis in construction, including information on silicosis disease, sources of exposure, exposure limits, and control measures.
• For information on the health effects of silicosis and for general resources, see the general industry Hazard Recognition page.
• For additional information on the hazards associated with crystalline silica exposure, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Carcinogens
  • Hazardous and Toxic Substances

Exposure Evaluation

• For information on exposure evaluation, see the general industry Exposure Evaluation section.

Possible Solutions

Controlling the exposure to silica can be done through engineering controls, administrative actions, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Engineering controls include such things as replacing silica with another material, isolating the source, and using ventilation systems. Administrative actions include limiting the worker's exposure time and providing showers. PPE includes wearing the proper respiratory protection and clothing. The following references aid in controlling crystalline silica hazards in the workplace.

• Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction [1 MB PDF^*, 72 pages]. OSHA Publication 3362-04, (2009). Provides information on the effectiveness of various engineering control approaches for several kinds of construction operations and equipment, and contains recommendations for work practices and respiratory protection.
• Construction Workers: It's Not Just Dust! ... Prevent Silicosis. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-101, (1997). Summarizes the presence of silica exposures in the construction industry and describes prevention measures.
• Control Technology for Crystalline Silica Exposures in Construction: Wet Abrasive Blasting. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Report No. ECTB 247-11, (1999, December). Describes how a wet abrasive blasting system sufficiently reduced respirable crystalline silica exposures so that air purifying respirators could be used to control worker exposure to crystalline silica.
• For additional information regarding possible ways of controlling crystalline silica exposures, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Medical Screening and Surveillance
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Respiratory Protection
• For additional information, see the general industry Possible Solutions section.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Construction Industry

Training

• Silicosis. OSHA. Provides program information, presentation and training materials.
  • Silica. Slide Presentation, 78 slides.

Other Resources

• ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling. OSHA Alliance Page. Focuses on providing the association’s members and others in the foundation drilling industry, including small businesses and non-English or limited English speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees’ health and safety.
• Silica-Related Diseases. OSHA Alliance Program Page. Provides links to OSHA Alliance pages that have information specifically relating to silica-related diseases.
• Silicosis Prevention. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Provides links to silica related information.
• OSHA Silica Stakeholder Meetings. OSHA.

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