1910.1053(f): Controlling Silica Dust Exposure
Employers must use engineering and work practice controls to keep worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), unless they show those controls are not feasible. If controls are not enough, they must still be used and backed up with respirators. Employers must also have a written exposure control plan, review it at least once a year and make it available to workers.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(f) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 505 times in the last 3 years, in 408 inspections, with $499,956 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (59), PA (39), NY (32).
- Related part: 1910.1053(f)(2) Written exposure control plan (383 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(f) ("Methods of compliance") is one requirement inside 1910.1053 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 9 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
(f) Methods of compliance — 505 citations
(1) 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 (g) of this section. Open (f)(1) 117 citations
(2) Written exposure control plan. Open (f)(2) 383 citations
(i) The employer shall establish and implement a written exposure control plan that contains at least the following elements: Open (f)(2)(i) 360 citations
(A) A description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica; Open (f)(2)(i)(a) 10 citations
(B) A description of the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica for each task; and 7 citations
(C) A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica. 3 citations
(ii) The employer shall review and evaluate the effectiveness of the written exposure control plan at least annually and update it as necessary. Open (f)(2)(ii) 14 citations
(iii) The employer shall make the written exposure control plan readily available for examination and copying, upon request, to each employee covered by this section, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director. 9 citations
(3) Abrasive blasting. In addition to the requirements of paragraph (f)(1) of this section, the employer shall comply with other OSHA standards, when applicable, such as 29 CFR 1910.94 (Ventilation), 29 CFR 1915.34 (Mechanical paint removers), and 29 CFR 1915 Subpart I (Personal Protective Equipment), where abrasive blasting is conducted using crystalline silica-containing blasting agents, or where abrasive blasting is conducted on substrates that contain crystalline silica. 5 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(f).
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 | 18 |
| 2024 | 235 |
| 2025 | 172 |
| 2026 | 80 |
Top states: IL (59), PA (39), NY (32), OH (31), MI (27)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| FLORIM USA, INC. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $50,000 |
| FOLEY PRODUCTS COMPANY, LLC | CLANTON, AL | $32,514 |
| CLASSIC FLOORS & INTERIORS, LLC | LAS VEGAS, NV | $16,131 |
| KEOKUK MILLS, LLC | KEOKUK, IA | $12,250 |
| GT STONE GRANITE LLC | CARTERSVILLE, GA | $11,916 |
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Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(f)(2) Written exposure control plan 383 citations
- 1910.1053(f)(2)(i) 360 citations
- 1910.1053(f)(1) Engineering and work practice controls 117 citations
- 1910.1053(f)(2)(ii) 14 citations
- 1910.1053(f)(2)(i)(A) 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Can respirators be used instead of dust controls?
No. Feasible engineering and work practice controls must be used first, and respirators supplement them when exposure is still above the PEL.
What goes in the written exposure control plan?
The tasks that involve silica exposure, the controls, work practices and respirators used for each task, and the housekeeping measures used to limit exposure.
How often must the plan be reviewed?
At least once a year, and updated as needed.
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.