1910.1053(d)(3): Scheduled Silica Monitoring Option
Under the scheduled monitoring option, employers must do initial personal breathing zone monitoring of 8-hour TWA silica exposure for each shift, job classification and work area, sampling those expected to have the highest exposure when using representative sampling. Monitoring may stop if initial results are below the action level, must repeat within six months if at or above the action level but at or below the PEL, and within three months if above the PEL.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(d)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 120 times in the last 3 years, in 114 inspections, with $273,295 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NC (11), OH (10), PA (10).
- Related part: 1910.1053(d) Exposure assessment (548 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(d)(3) ("Scheduled monitoring option") is one requirement inside 1910.1053 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 5 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) Scheduled monitoring option. 120 citations
(i) The employer shall perform initial monitoring to assess the 8-hour TWA exposure for each employee on the basis of one or more personal breathing zone air samples that reflect the exposures of employees on each shift, for each job classification, in each work area. Where several employees perform the same tasks on the same shift and in the same work area, the employer may sample a representative fraction of these employees in order to meet this requirement. In representative sampling, the employer shall sample the employee(s) who are expected to have the highest exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Open (d)(3)(i) 71 citations
(ii) If initial monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring.
(iii) Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are at or above the action level but at or below the PEL, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring. Open (d)(3)(iii) 22 citations
(iv) Where the most recent exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are above the PEL, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within three months of the most recent monitoring. Open (d)(3)(iv) 24 citations
(v) Where the most recent (non-initial) exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring until two consecutive measurements, taken 7 or more days apart, are below the action level, at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section. 3 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1053.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 54 |
| 2025 | 32 |
| 2026 | 25 |
Top states: NC (11), OH (10), PA (10), TN (9), MI (7)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| CHAMPION HOME BUILDERS INC. | SANGERFIELD, NY | $16,550 |
| GENERAL SHALE BRICK, INC. | WATSONTOWN, PA | $16,550 |
| HENRY BRICK COMPANY, INC. | SELMA, AL | $11,518 |
| TEXAS MATERIALS GROUP INC. | HOUSTON, TX | $9,844 |
| OWENS-BROCKWAY GLASS CONTAINER, INC. | MUSKOGEE, OK | $9,457 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(d)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(d) Exposure assessment 548 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(1) General 399 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(i) 71 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(iv) 24 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(3)(iii) 22 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(4) Reassessment of exposures 13 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(6) Employee notification of assessment results 11 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(6)(ii) 4 citations
- 1910.1053(d)(2) Performance option 4 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often must silica monitoring be repeated above the PEL?
Within three months of the most recent monitoring.
What if results are at or above the action level but at or below the PEL?
Monitoring must be repeated within six months of the most recent monitoring.
When can monitoring stop?
When initial monitoring is below the action level, or after two consecutive non-initial results taken 7 or more days apart are below the action level, except as otherwise provided.
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.