OSHA Silica Dust Standards

OSHA Silica Dust Standards

Clearing the air on the OSHA respirable crystalline silica dust regulation

Silica, present in concrete dust, is a hazardous material and is the focus of the OSHA regulation 1926.1153 Table 1. The OSHA respirable crystalline silica dust regulation offers several options for compliance and at Hilti, and we want to help you understand those options.

We have designed these resources to help professionals in the construction industry, just like you, better understand and comply with the OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1 regulations for silica dust exposure.

Dust Control Products and Solutions

Dust Control Products and Solutions

Here at Hilti, we are committed to helping reduce risks associated with respirable crystalline silica and increase your productivity on site with dust control tools and services designed to greatly reduce silica dust exposure.

Respirable crystalline silica is much smaller than ordinary sand, and on a construction site it can be breathed in without proper precautions in place. We understand the hazards your crew faces and we work hard to help protect your team from silica exposure.

Choose from an extensive line of dust emission solutions that work with your Hilti tools to help reduce employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

TE 60-A36 with dust removal system drilling holes in concrete wall

Silica Dust Knowledge Center

Learn about crystalline silica and the importance of complying with the OSHA Silica Dust Standard including:

  • The risk of silica exposure when respiratory protection is not in place
  • Applications that can contribute to the production of respirable crystalline silica
  • Benefits of minimizing dust emissions such as reduced cleaning time, increased application speed, occupational safety and more
Exposure Control Methods For Silica Dust

OSHA Table 1

Choose a pre-determined option based on your application, from OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1 - Exposure Control Methods for Silica Dust.

Download OSHA 1926.1153 Table 1
Respirable Silica Dust Exposure

Objective data or performance testing

Utilize third-party performance or objective data to document that workers performing a particular application are in compliance with the permissible exposure limit of ≤ 50 μg/m3 averaged over an eight-hour day.

Download Silica Dust Exposure Objective Test Data
Hilti White Paper - New OSHA Standards for Silica Dust

Scheduled Air Monitoring

Periodically test for a particular application to validate if the user falls under the permissible exposure limit of ≤ 50 μg/m3.

Download The Hilti White Paper On OSHA Silica Dust

Tool Box Talk

Overview of the OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) Dust Regulations.

Download Tool Box Talk
Dust Removal System

OSHA Dust Webinar

Understanding the regulations regarding the OSHA respirable crystalline silica dust standard

Silica, present in concrete dust, is a hazardous material and is the focus of OSHA regulation 1926.1153.  29 CFR 1926.1153 went into effect in June 2016 and required compliance on September 23, 2017. With this change, came new standards with which industry professionals are required to comply, along with a layout of control methods found in Table 1.

This presentation helps educate the participant on these standards, such as when to use a wet or dry solutions, when a HEPA-filtered vacuum is required, employer responsibilities and additional construction requirements. It also provides an overview of the work Hilti has completed to better understand the new codes and how they will change our industry.

Dust Control Submittal Packages

Use the submittals in the sections below as you build your written silica exposure plan

They provide:

  • Table 1 overview — what does Table 1 say about approved control methods?
  • Compliance method — based on the system, what methods of exposure compliance are available?
  • System overview — what do the system components look like?
  • Objective data — if available, what testing information does Hilti have?
  • Instructions for use — in addition to information in the tool operator's manual, how do I properly use and maintain the system per manufacturer instructions to not exceed the permissible exposure limit to respirable crystalline silica?

Additional information

The cover pages for each submittal file also have links at the bottom to the playlist of Hilti’s video library showing you how to assemble these systems. This will help enable you to put appropriate work practices into place and properly train workers on how to assemble systems in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Choose submittals by trade, application, tool or system.

Request more information

To learn more

For more information on OSHA's rule to help protect construction workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, click here to visit the OSHA Silica, Crystalline web page.

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