1926.1153(g)(1)(iv): Silica Plan: Restricting Access to Work Areas
The employer's written silica exposure control plan must describe the procedures used to restrict access to work areas when necessary, to keep down the number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their exposure level, including exposure created by other employers or sole proprietors.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(iv) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $3,966 in current penalties.
- Most citations: VA (4), TN (2), MD (2).
- Related part: 1926.1153(g) Written exposure control plan (703 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1153(g)(1)(iv) is one requirement inside 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). 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
(iv) A description of the procedures used to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other employers or sole proprietors. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: VA (4), TN (2), MD (2), SD (1), KY (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| VIRGINIA EQUIPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $2,425 |
| KING PLASTER & CONSTRUCTION LLC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $1,222 |
| BURLEIGH CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. | LYNCHBURG, VA | $319 |
| JD CONCRETE, LLC | CATHARPIN, VA | $0 |
| JONES BROS. CONTRACTORS, LLC | CARYVILLE, TN | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(g)(1)(iv), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1153(g)(1)(iv).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1153(g) Written exposure control plan 703 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1) 625 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(4) 62 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(ii) 15 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(i) 12 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What must the silica plan say about access?
It must describe procedures used to restrict access to work areas, when necessary, to minimize the number of employees exposed and their level of exposure.
Does it cover dust from other contractors?
Yes. It includes exposures generated by other employers or sole proprietors.
Is this part of a written plan?
Yes. It is an element of the written exposure control plan.
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.