1910.1053(k): Silica Recordkeeping
Employers must keep accurate records of all silica exposure measurements, including date, task, methods, sample results, lab, PPE worn and employees represented, and any objective data relied on, such as the material, source, testing and process. Records must be kept and made available under 1910.1020, and medical surveillance records must be kept for each covered employee.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1053(k) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 19 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $5,254 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (7), MI (2), OK (1).
- Related part: 1910.1053(k)(1) Air monitoring data (18 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1053(k) ("Recordkeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.1053 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 27 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
(k) Recordkeeping — 19 citations
(1) Air monitoring data. Open (k)(1) 18 citations
(i) The employer shall make and maintain an accurate record of all exposure measurements taken to assess employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica, as prescribed in paragraph (d) of this section. 8 citations
(ii) This record shall include at least the following information: Open (k)(1)(ii) 10 citations
(A) The date of measurement for each sample taken;
(B) The task monitored; 3 citations
(C) Sampling and analytical methods used; 1 citations
(D) Number, duration, and results of samples taken;
(E) Identity of the laboratory that performed the analysis;
(F) Type of personal protective equipment, such as respirators, worn by the employees monitored; and 5 citations
(G) Name and job classification of all employees represented by the monitoring, indicating which employees were actually monitored.
(iii) The employer shall ensure that exposure records are maintained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
(2) Objective data.
(i) The employer shall make and maintain an accurate record of all objective data relied upon to comply with the requirements of this section.
(ii) This record shall include at least the following information:
(A) The crystalline silica-containing material in question;
(B) The source of the objective data;
(C) The testing protocol and results of testing;
(D) A description of the process, task, or activity on which the objective data were based; and
(E) Other data relevant to the process, task, activity, material, or exposures on which the objective data were based.
(iii) The employer shall ensure that objective data are maintained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
(3) Medical surveillance. 1 citations
(i) The employer shall make and maintain an accurate record for each employee covered by medical surveillance under paragraph (i) of this section. 1 citations
(ii) The record shall include the following information about the employee:
(A) Name;
(B) A copy of the PLHCPs' and specialists' written medical opinions; and
(C) A copy of the information provided to the PLHCPs and specialists.
(iii) The employer shall ensure that medical records are maintained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1053.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.1053(k) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: TN (7), MI (2), OK (1), GA (1), WI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DAL-TILE TENNESSEE, LLC | DICKSON, TN | $3,150 |
| GRANITE USA | WICHITA, KS | $1,844 |
| ROCKINGHAM REDI-MIX INC. | HARRISONBURG, VA | $260 |
| MID AMERICAN STEEL & WIRE CO., LLC | MADILL, OK | $0 |
| ALUDYNE COLUMBUS, LLC | COLUMBUS, GA | $0 |
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1053(k).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1053(k)(1) Air monitoring data 18 citations
- 1910.1053(k)(1)(ii) 10 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must a silica air monitoring record include?
Date, task monitored, sampling and analytical methods, number, duration and results of samples, the lab, PPE worn, and names and job classifications of employees represented.
What about objective data?
The employer must record the silica material, data source, testing protocol and results, the process or task, and other relevant data.
How are silica records kept?
They must be maintained and made available in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020.
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 2026-11-06
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.