1910.1053(h)(1): No Dry Sweeping of Silica Dust
Employers must not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where it could add to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica, unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other low-exposure methods are not feasible.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(h)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 51 times in the last 3 years, in 51 inspections, with $98,895 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: TN (8), MI (6), NC (5).
- Related part: 1910.1053(h) Housekeeping (81 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(h)(1) 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) The employer shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible. 51 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(h)(1).
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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 11 |
Top states: TN (8), MI (6), NC (5), OH (4), OK (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| KEOKUK MILLS, LLC | KEOKUK, IA | $14,280 |
| 157837 - RESCO PRODUCTS, INC. | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 |
| OWENS-BROCKWAY GLASS CONTAINER, INC. | MUSKOGEE, OK | $11,823 |
| ALUDYNE COLUMBUS, LLC | COLUMBUS, GA | $9,680 |
| BAJA DESIGN, INC. | DENVER, CO | $7,803 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(h)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(h) Housekeeping 81 citations
- 1910.1053(h)(2) 30 citations
- 1910.1053(h)(2)(i) 21 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
Can I dry sweep silica dust?
Not where it could contribute to exposure, unless wet sweeping, HEPA vacuuming or other methods are not feasible.
What methods should be used instead?
Wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming, or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure.
Which rule is this?
1910.1053(h)(1), general industry silica.
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.