1910.1053(e)(2)(i): Marking Silica Regulated Areas
Employers must demarcate silica regulated areas from the rest of the workplace in a way that minimizes the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica in the area.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(e)(2)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $21,658 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MA (4), AL (3), GA (2).
- Related part: 1910.1053(e) Regulated areas (116 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(e)(2)(i) 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
(i) The employer shall demarcate regulated areas from the rest of the workplace in a manner that minimizes the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica within the regulated area. 14 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1053.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: MA (4), AL (3), GA (2), FL (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALUDYNE COLUMBUS, LLC | COLUMBUS, GA | $11,292 |
| ART STONE-GRANITE & MARBLE, INC. | MARIETTA, GA | $7,530 |
| HUNTSVILLE GRANITE AND MARBLE, LLC | HUNTSVILLE, AL | $2,305 |
| NELLIS HOSPITALITY, LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $531 |
| BLACK BAY VENTURES VI, LLC | PALMER, MA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(e)(2)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1053(e)(2)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(e) Regulated areas 116 citations
- 1910.1053(e)(1) Establishment 70 citations
- 1910.1053(e)(2) Demarcation 39 citations
- 1910.1053(e)(2)(ii) 25 citations
- 1910.1053(e)(4) Provision of respirators 7 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
How must silica regulated areas be marked?
Demarcated from the rest of the workplace in a way that minimizes the number of employees exposed.
What is the goal of marking?
To minimize the number of employees exposed in the regulated area.
Which standard is this?
The general industry silica standard, 1910.1053.
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 2026-10-20
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.