1926.1153(g)(4): Silica Competent Person
Employers must designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials and equipment to implement the written silica exposure control plan.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(g)(4) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 62 times in the last 3 years, in 62 inspections, with $24,575 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MD (18), VA (12), IL (6).
- 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)(4) 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
(4) The employer shall designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan. 62 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1153(g)(4).
At 8:30 a.m. on May 7, 2024, Employee #1 was preparing to sand an epoxy patch when they exited the area, reporting difficulty breathing. The employee collapsed shortly afterward. Despite immediate attention, the employee later died from a severe asthma attack. The cause of the…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 15 |
Top states: MD (18), VA (12), IL (6), KY (5), NY (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NABHOLZ CONSTRUCTION CO. | RICHMOND, VA | $7,707 |
| COMANCHE CONSTRUCTION, INC. | KANSAS CITY, MO | $3,547 |
| 66310 - TOM GOODWORTH CONSTRUCTION INC | RICHARDSVILLE, KY | $2,800 |
| 66320 - ANA VANEGAS LEDESMA | RICHARDSVILLE, KY | $2,800 |
| VIRGINIA EQUIPMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $2,425 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(g)(4), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.1153(g)(4).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1153(g) Written exposure control plan 703 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1) 625 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(ii) 15 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(i) 12 citations
- 1926.1153(g)(1)(iv) 10 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
What does the silica competent person do?
Makes frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan.
Who must designate the competent person?
The employer.
How often are inspections done?
Frequently and regularly.
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.