1926.1153(d)(1): Silica Exposure Limit in Construction
Construction employers must make sure no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 µg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(d)(1) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 35 times in the last 3 years, in 35 inspections, with $54,616 in current penalties.
- Most citations: IL (8), KY (7), IN (4).
- Related part: 1926.1153(d) Alternative exposure control methods (694 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1153(d)(1) ("Permissible exposure limit (PEL)") 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) Permissible exposure limit (PEL). The employer shall ensure that no employee is exposed to an airborne concentration of respirable crystalline silica in excess of 50 µg/m3, calculated as an 8-hour TWA. 35 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: IL (8), KY (7), IN (4), FL (3), CO (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| ADVANCED GREEN INSULATION, INC. | REVERE, MA | $10,000 |
| MID-CONTINENTAL RESTORATION CO., INC. | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $9,344 |
| POOL CONTROL INC | FRUITLAND PARK, FL | $8,067 |
| T & R CONTRACTING, INC. | BRANDON, SD | $6,000 |
| 68712 - NATIONAL CUSTOM CORPORATE SERVICES INC | LEXINGTON, KY | $3,500 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(d)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- 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(d) Alternative exposure control methods 694 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(2) Exposure assessment 645 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(i) General 623 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(3) Methods of compliance 14 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(3)(i) Engineering and work practice controls 14 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii) Scheduled monitoring option 10 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(vi) Employee notification of assessment results 1 citations
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(E)
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(iii)(B)
- 1926.1153(d)(2)(v) Methods of sample analysis
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Frequently asked questions
What is the silica PEL in construction?
50 µg/m3 of respirable crystalline silica, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Who must keep exposure under the PEL?
The employer.
Is the PEL a peak or an average?
It is calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
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.