1926.1153(c)(1): Using Silica Table 1 Controls
In plain words:
Employers must fully and properly put in place the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection that Table 1 lists for each worker doing a listed task, unless they assess and limit silica exposure under paragraph (d) instead. For example, saws must have water fed to the blade, and some indoor sawing also needs a respirator with an APF of 10.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(c)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 914 times in the last 3 years, in 912 inspections, with $2,729,851 in current penalties.
- 4 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (125), MI (106), GA (82).
- Related part: 1926.1153(c) Specified exposure control methods (932 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
914citations, 3 years
$2,729,851current penalties
912inspections
4linked deaths
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(1) is one requirement inside 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). 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) For each employee engaged in a task identified on Table 1, the employer shall fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee to respirable crystalline silica in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. 914 citations
| Equipment/task | Engineering and work practice control methods | Required respiratory protection and minimum assigned protection factor (APF) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤4 hours/shift | >4 hours/shift | ||
| (i) Stationary masonry saws | Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| (ii) Handheld power saws (any blade diameter) | Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade | ||
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions: | |||
| —When used outdoors | None | APF 10. | |
| —When used indoors or in an enclosed area | APF 10 | APF 10. | |
| (iii) Handheld power saws for cutting fiber-cement board (with blade diameter of 8 inches or less) | For tasks performed outdoors only: Use saw equipped with commercially available dust collection system Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions |
None |
None. |
| Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency | |||
| (iv) Walk-behind saws | Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade | ||
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions: | |||
| —When used outdoors | None | None. | |
| —When used indoors or in an enclosed area | APF 10 | APF 10. | |
| (v) Drivable saws | For tasks performed outdoors only: | ||
| Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade | None | None. | |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| (vi) Rig-mounted core saws or drills | Use tool equipped with integrated water delivery system that supplies water to cutting surface | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| (vii) Handheld and stand-mounted drills (including impact and rotary hammer drills) | Use drill equipped with commercially available shroud or cowling with dust collection system | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism | |||
| Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes | |||
| (viii) Dowel drilling rigs for concrete | For tasks performed outdoors only: | ||
| Use shroud around drill bit with a dust collection system. Dust collector must have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism | APF 10 | APF 10. | |
| Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes | |||
| (ix) Vehicle-mounted drilling rigs for rock and concrete | Use dust collection system with close capture hood or shroud around drill bit with a low-flow water spray to wet the dust at the discharge point from the dust collector | None | None. |
| OR | |||
| Operate from within an enclosed cab and use water for dust suppression on drill bit | None | None. | |
| (x) Jackhammers and handheld powered chipping tools | Use tool with water delivery system that supplies a continuous stream or spray of water at the point of impact: | ||
| —When used outdoors | None | APF 10. | |
| —When used indoors or in an enclosed area | APF 10 | APF 10. | |
| OR | |||
| Use tool equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system | |||
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism: | |||
| —When used outdoors | None | APF 10. | |
| —When used indoors or in an enclosed area | APF 10 | APF 10. | |
| (xi) Handheld grinders for mortar removal (i.e., tuckpointing) | Use grinder equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system | APF 10 | APF 25. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Dust collector must provide 25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or greater of airflow per inch of wheel diameter and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a cyclonic pre-separator or filter-cleaning mechanism | |||
| (xii) Handheld grinders for uses other than mortar removal | For tasks performed outdoors only: Use grinder equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the grinding surface |
None | None. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| OR | |||
| Use grinder equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system | |||
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Dust collector must provide 25 cubic feet per minute (cfm) or greater of airflow per inch of wheel diameter and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a cyclonic pre-separator or filter-cleaning mechanism: | |||
| —When used outdoors | None | None. | |
| —When used indoors or in an enclosed area | None | APF 10. | |
| (xiii) Walk-behind milling machines and floor grinders | Use machine equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the cutting surface | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| OR | |||
| Use machine equipped with dust collection system recommended by the manufacturer | None | None. | |
| Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency and a filter-cleaning mechanism | |||
| When used indoors or in an enclosed area, use a HEPA-filtered vacuum to remove loose dust in between passes | |||
| (xiv) Small drivable milling machines (less than half-lane) | Use a machine equipped with supplemental water sprays designed to suppress dust. Water must be combined with a surfactant | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain machine to minimize dust emissions | |||
| (xv) Large drivable milling machines (half-lane and larger) | For cuts of any depth on asphalt only: Use machine equipped with exhaust ventilation on drum enclosure and supplemental water sprays designed to suppress dust |
None | None. |
| Operate and maintain machine to minimize dust emissions | |||
| For cuts of four inches in depth or less on any substrate: | |||
| Use machine equipped with exhaust ventilation on drum enclosure and supplemental water sprays designed to suppress dust | None | None. | |
| Operate and maintain machine to minimize dust emissions | |||
| OR | |||
| Use a machine equipped with supplemental water spray designed to suppress dust. Water must be combined with a surfactant | None | None. | |
| Operate and maintain machine to minimize dust emissions | |||
| (xvi) Crushing machines | Use equipment designed to deliver water spray or mist for dust suppression at crusher and other points where dust is generated (e.g., hoppers, conveyers, sieves/sizing or vibrating components, and discharge points) | None | None. |
| Operate and maintain machine in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions | |||
| Use a ventilated booth that provides fresh, climate-controlled air to the operator, or a remote control station | |||
| (xvii) Heavy equipment and utility vehicles used to abrade or fracture silica-containing materials (e.g., hoe-ramming, rock ripping) or used during demolition activities involving silica-containing materials | Operate equipment from within an enclosed cab When employees outside of the cab are engaged in the task, apply water and/or dust suppressants as necessary to minimize dust emissions |
None None |
None. None. |
| (xviii) Heavy equipment and utility vehicles for tasks such as grading and excavating but not including: Demolishing, abrading, or fracturing silica-containing materials | Apply water and/or dust suppressants as necessary to minimize dust emissions OR |
None | None. |
| When the equipment operator is the only employee engaged in the task, operate equipment from within an enclosed cab | None | None. | |
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Injuries linked to this rule
4 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1153(c)(1).
Employee is struck by demo-saw blade and later dies
2024-11-01 · Fatal · AUBURN, NY
At 11:50 a.m. on November 1, 2024, Employee #1 was using a demo-saw to fit two sections of granite curbstone. The saw kicked back, causing the employee to losehis grip on the trigger with his right hand while the saw continued rotating in his left…
See all 4 cases
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 | 66 |
| 2024 | 332 |
| 2025 | 308 |
| 2026 | 208 |
Top states: IL (125), MI (106), GA (82), TX (76), NC (46)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PESKA CONSTRUCTION, INC. | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $75,400 |
| KIMBERLY CONSTRUCTION, LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $34,048 |
| KIMBERLY CONSTRUCTION, LLC | WINNETKA, IL | $33,103 |
| ALLIANCE CONTRACTORS, INC. | SKOKIE, IL | $17,500 |
| KREATIVE SCAPE INC | TINLEY PARK, IL | $16,552 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(c)(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)
- Types of construction work excluded from the Silica standard (2019-07-25)
- Silica in Construction, Integrated Water Delivery System, Exposure Assessment, Medical Surveillance, Respiratory Protection (2019-03-04)
- Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1153 (2017-10-19)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1153(c) Specified exposure control methods 932 citations
- 1926.1153(c)(2) 17 citations
- 1926.1153(c)(2)(ii) 13 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What does fully and properly mean for Table 1?
Every control and work practice listed for the task must be used and working as described, along with the listed respirator.
What does a stationary masonry saw require?
A saw with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade, operated and maintained per the manufacturer, with no respirator required.
What is the alternative to Table 1?
Assessing and limiting each employee's exposure to respirable crystalline silica under paragraph (d).
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1153 (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.
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