1910.1053(c): Silica Permissible Exposure Limit
Employers must make sure no employee is exposed to airborne respirable crystalline silica above 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(c) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 149 times in the last 3 years, in 149 inspections, with $942,021 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (17), PA (14), FL (13).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(c) ("Permissible exposure limit (PEL)") 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
(c) 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. 149 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(c).
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 | 11 |
| 2024 | 70 |
| 2025 | 44 |
| 2026 | 24 |
Top states: IL (17), PA (14), FL (13), GA (9), NC (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GENERAL SHALE BRICK, INC. | WATSONTOWN, PA | $165,514 |
| FLORENZA MARBLE & GRANITE CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $47,490 |
| 5280 PRODUCTIONS LLC | LAKEWOOD, CO | $40,000 |
| THE LAKEWOOD BRICK AND TILE COMPANY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $20,000 |
| LIBERTY CASTING COMPANY, LLC | DELAWARE, OH | $18,563 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(c), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1053(c).
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 is the OSHA PEL for respirable crystalline silica in general industry?
50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, calculated as an 8-hour TWA.
Is the limit an average?
Yes. It is calculated as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
Who is responsible?
The employer must ensure no employee is exposed above the limit.
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 2026-10-20
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.