1910.1053(d)(1): Assessing Silica Exposure
Employers must assess the exposure of each employee who is, or may reasonably be expected to be, exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level. They must use either the performance option or the scheduled monitoring option.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(d)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 399 times in the last 3 years, in 396 inspections, with $853,820 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (40), IL (39), FL (29).
- Related part: 1910.1053(d) Exposure assessment (548 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(d)(1) ("General") is one requirement inside 1910.1053 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) General. The employer shall assess the exposure of each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the action level in accordance with either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3) of this section. 399 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1053(d)(1).
At 1:08 p.m. on March 20, 2024, an employee died of silicosis from occupational exposure.
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 194 |
| 2025 | 132 |
| 2026 | 57 |
Top states: MI (40), IL (39), FL (29), NY (27), PA (25)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORENZA MARBLE & GRANITE CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $189,960 |
| THE LAKEWOOD BRICK AND TILE COMPANY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $20,000 |
| NAUTIQUE BOAT COMPANY, INC. | ORLANDO, FL | $16,550 |
| CATERPILLAR INC. | MAPLETON, IL | $15,082 |
| BRADFORD WHITE CORPORATION | MIDDLEVILLE, MI | $15,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Handling and disposal of respirable silica dust, contaminated equipment, and filters from vacuums and PPE (2022-02-14)
- Maintenance work in a manufacturing area after silica-generating tasks have been stopped (2019-07-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(d) Exposure assessment 548 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3) Scheduled monitoring option 120 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(i) 71 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(iv) 24 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(iii) 22 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(4) Reassessment of exposures 13 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(6) Employee notification of assessment results 11 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(6)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(2) Performance option 4 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Who must have silica exposure assessed?
Each employee who is or may reasonably be expected to be exposed at or above the action level.
What methods can be used?
Either the performance option in paragraph (d)(2) or the scheduled monitoring option in paragraph (d)(3).
Does every employee need assessment?
Only employees who are or may reasonably be expected to be exposed at or above the action level.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1053 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.