Title: Engineering Controls, Work Practices & PPE
Type: Lesson
To protect workers from respirable crystalline silica, OSHA requires employers to use a combination of:
Engineering controls
Work practice controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
These three levels of protection must work together to keep exposure below safe limits.
These reduce dust at the source and are the most effective protection.
Examples:
Wet methods (water delivery systems)
HEPA-filter vacuum attachments for saws and grinders
Enclosures or containment areas
Local exhaust ventilation
Always use water or vacuum systems before relying on PPE.
These are methods to change how tasks are performed to reduce risk.
Best practices:
Minimize time spent in dusty areas
Stay upwind of dust sources when outdoors
Use wet sweeping or HEPA vacuums — never dry sweep
Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking near dust
Clean clothing using vacuums, not compressed air
If engineering and work practice controls don’t fully eliminate risk, PPE is required.
Common PPE for silica work:
NIOSH-approved respirators (N95 or P100 for most jobs)
Full-face respirators or PAPRs for high-exposure tasks
Protective clothing to avoid carrying dust home
Eye protection and gloves if needed
Respirators require fit testing and medical clearance under OSHA 1910.134.
If Table 1 says so (based on task duration & environment)
If exposure is above the PEL
When engineering controls alone are not enough
PPE is your last line of defense. If you skip engineering controls and safe work practices, a respirator alone won’t keep you safe from silica exposure.
Click “Mark Complete” to continue to Lesson 6: Medical Surveillance & Recordkeeping, where we’ll cover when medical checks are required and how silica exposure records must be handled.