1926.1153(f): Silica Housekeeping
Employers must not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing that could add to silica exposure unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other low-exposure methods are not feasible. Compressed air may not be used to clean clothing or surfaces unless it is used with a ventilation system that captures the dust cloud, or no alternative method is feasible.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(f) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 68 times in the last 3 years, in 66 inspections, with $116,324 in current penalties.
- Most citations: KY (8), VA (8), IL (6).
- Related part: 1926.1153(f)(1) (59 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1153(f) ("Housekeeping") is one requirement inside 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 4 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) Housekeeping. 68 citations
(1) The employer shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible. Open (f)(1) 59 citations
(2) The employer shall not allow compressed air to be used to clean clothing or surfaces where such activity could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica unless: Open (f)(2) 9 citations
(i) The compressed air is used in conjunction with a ventilation system that effectively captures the dust cloud created by the compressed air; or 3 citations
(ii) No alternative method is feasible.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 35 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Top states: KY (8), VA (8), IL (6), MD (5), WI (4)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL POOLS OF ROANOKE INC | MASSANUTTEN, VA | $7,690 |
| MCHUGH CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, INC. | CHICAGO, IL | $6,809 |
| 155494 - CAROLINA CONDUIT SYSTEMS, INC. | ASHEVILLE, NC | $6,540 |
| ENVIROVANTAGE INC. | BANGOR, ME | $6,347 |
| 69122 - CITY OF GEORGETOWN | GEORGETOWN, KY | $6,300 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(f), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Handling and disposal of respirable silica dust, contaminated equipment, and filters from vacuums and PPE (2022-02-14)
- A leaf blower should not be used to remove silica dust from clothing (2020-08-19)
- Types of construction work excluded from the Silica standard (2019-07-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1153(f)(1) 59 citations
- 1926.1153(f)(2) 9 citations
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Frequently asked questions
Is dry sweeping of silica dust allowed?
Not where it could add to silica exposure, unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize exposure are not feasible.
Can compressed air be used to blow dust off clothes?
Only if used with a ventilation system that effectively captures the dust cloud, or if no alternative method is feasible.
What cleanup methods are preferred?
Wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.1153 (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 2026-10-19
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.