1926.1153(d)(3): Silica Controls: Engineering First
Construction employers must use engineering and work practice controls to keep respirable crystalline silica at or below the PEL unless not feasible, and where they fall short, still use them to reach the lowest feasible level and add respirators under paragraph (e). For abrasive blasting with silica agents or on silica substrates, other OSHA standards like 1926.57 also apply.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(d)(3) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 14 inspections, with $4,000 in current penalties.
- Most citations: KY (3), FL (2), CT (1).
- 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)(3) ("Methods of compliance") is one requirement inside 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. 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
(3) Methods of compliance — 14 citations
(i) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this section. Open (d)(3)(i) 14 citations
(ii) Abrasive blasting. In addition to the requirements of paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section, the employer shall comply with other OSHA standards, when applicable, such as 29 CFR 1926.57 (Ventilation), where abrasive blasting is conducted using crystalline silica-containing blasting agents, or where abrasive blasting is conducted on substrates that contain crystalline silica.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: KY (3), FL (2), CT (1), ME (1), AK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| MACK CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, LLC | WILMETTE, IL | $3,000 |
| MAINE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, REGION 4 | TWP22 MD, ME | $1,000 |
| 66290 - REDLEE CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT INC | LOUISVILLE, KY | $0 |
| 66310 - TOM GOODWORTH CONSTRUCTION INC | RICHARDSVILLE, KY | $0 |
| 66320 - ANA VANEGAS LEDESMA | RICHARDSVILLE, KY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(d)(3), 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)(1) Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 35 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
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
What controls come first for silica?
Engineering and work practice controls to reduce exposure to or below the PEL.
What if controls are not enough?
Use them to reach the lowest feasible level and supplement with respiratory protection under paragraph (e).
What else applies to abrasive blasting?
Other OSHA standards when applicable, such as 1926.57 (Ventilation).
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.