1910.1053(g)(2): Respiratory Protection Program for Silica
Where the silica standard requires respirator use, the employer must institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(g)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 72 times in the last 3 years, in 72 inspections, with $59,027 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (12), FL (9), AL (6).
- Related part: 1910.1053(g) Respiratory protection (98 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(g)(2) ("Respiratory protection program") 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
(2) Respiratory protection program. Where respirator use is required by this section, the employer shall institute a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134. 72 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1053.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.1053(g)(2).
At 1:08 p.m. on March 20, 2024, an employee died of silicosis from occupational exposure.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 13 |
Top states: IL (12), FL (9), AL (6), MI (4), MD (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ALUDYNE COLUMBUS, LLC | COLUMBUS, GA | $11,292 |
| CHEROKEE BRICK & TILE COMPANY | MACON, GA | $9,488 |
| ROCK FIN COUNTERTOPS, INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $8,067 |
| PRESTIGE MARBLE & GRANITE INC. | EMMAUS, PA | $5,000 |
| HILLTOP SLATE, INC. | MIDDLE GRANVILLE, NY | $4,194 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(g)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1053(g)(2).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(g) Respiratory protection 98 citations
- 1910.1053(g)(1) General 26 citations
- 1910.1053(g)(1)(iii) 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
When is a respiratory protection program required for silica?
Where respirator use is required by 1910.1053.
Which standard does the program follow?
29 CFR 1910.134.
Who must set up the program?
The employer.
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 2026-10-23
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.