Title: Introduction to Crystalline Silica & OSHA 1926.1153
Type: Lesson
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in:
Concrete
Brick
Tile
Stone
Mortar
Drywall
When these materials are cut, ground, drilled, or crushed, they release respirable crystalline silica dust — particles small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs.
The danger lies in respirable silica dust — which is:
100 times smaller than sand grains
Invisible to the naked eye
Able to bypass the body’s natural defenses and lodge in the lungs
Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause permanent lung damage, including silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases.
Jackhammering concrete
Cutting tile or brick with saws
Grinding or polishing concrete floors
Sandblasting
Demolition
Mixing dry cement or drywall compound
Tuckpointing
If you’re working around dust and dry cutting, you’re probably around respirable silica.
OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction (29 CFR 1926.1153) requires employers to:
Limit exposure to below the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
Implement engineering controls, work practice controls, and PPE
Use the Table 1 exposure control method or perform exposure assessments
Provide medical surveillance and employee training
If you work with concrete, masonry, or similar materials, you’ve likely been exposed to respirable silica dust. This course will show you how to stay safe and compliant under OSHA’s silica rule.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 2: Health Hazards – Silicosis & Other Risks, where we’ll cover what silica does to the body and why it’s so dangerous.