1910.1053(j)(3)(i): Silica Knowledge Employees Must Show
Employers must make sure each employee covered by the silica standard can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the health hazards of respirable crystalline silica, the specific tasks that can expose them, the specific controls, work practices and respirators used, the contents of the standard, and the purpose and description of the medical surveillance program.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(j)(3)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 165 times in the last 3 years, in 162 inspections, with $165,978 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (20), PA (17), MI (14).
- Related part: 1910.1053(j) Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees (412 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(j)(3)(i) 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
(i) The employer shall ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following: 165 citations
(A) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; 9 citations
(B) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; 3 citations
(C) Specific measures the employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure to respirable crystalline silica, including engineering controls, work practices, and respirators to be used;
(D) The contents of this section; and 1 citations
(E) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (i) of this section. 1 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 | 5 |
| 2024 | 78 |
| 2025 | 56 |
| 2026 | 26 |
Top states: TN (20), PA (17), MI (14), IL (13), CT (11)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| 157837 - RESCO PRODUCTS, INC. | GREENSBORO, NC | $12,500 |
| T. BROTHERS TILE L.L.C. | LAS VEGAS, NV | $10,163 |
| ALUDYNE COLUMBUS, LLC | COLUMBUS, GA | $9,680 |
| TFORCE FREIGHT, INC. | MILWAUKEE, WI | $8,326 |
| GRANITE RADIANCE, INC. | YORKVILLE, IL | $7,094 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1053(j)(3)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1053(j)(3)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(j) Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees 412 citations
- 1910.1053(j)(1) Hazard communication 197 citations
- 1910.1053(j)(3) Employee information and training 184 citations
- 1910.1053(j)(2) Signs 31 citations
- 1910.1053(j)(3)(ii) 19 citations
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
Must employees prove what they learned?
Yes. Each covered employee must be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the required topics.
Which tasks must they know about?
The specific tasks in their workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
Must they understand medical surveillance?
Yes, its purpose and a description of the program.
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 2026-10-22
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.