1926.1153(i): Silica Hazard Communication and Training
Employers must include respirable crystalline silica in their hazard communication program and give workers access to labels and safety data sheets. Cancer, lung, immune system and kidney effects must be covered. Each covered worker must be able to show they understand silica health hazards, tasks that cause exposure, the protections in place, the rule, the competent person and medical surveillance, and must get a free copy of the rule.
Key takeaways
- 1926.1153(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart Z).
- OSHA cited it 506 times in the last 3 years, in 423 inspections, with $327,114 in current penalties.
- 2 deaths are linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: IL (57), MI (47), NY (43).
- Related part: 1926.1153(i)(2) Employee information and training (330 citations).
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.1153(i) ("Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees") is one requirement inside 1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart Z). It includes 10 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) Communication of respirable crystalline silica hazards to employees — 506 citations
(1) Hazard communication. The employer shall include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200). The employer shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and paragraph (i)(2) of this section. The employer shall ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects. Open (i)(1) 176 citations
(2) Employee information and training. Open (i)(2) 330 citations
(i) The employer shall ensure that each employee covered by this section can demonstrate knowledge and understanding of at least the following: Open (i)(2)(i) 322 citations
(A) The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica; Open (i)(2)(i)(a) 22 citations
(B) Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica; 5 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; Open (i)(2)(i)(c) 11 citations
(D) The contents of this section; 5 citations
(E) The identity of the competent person designated by the employer in accordance with paragraph (g)(4) of this section; and 2 citations
(F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by paragraph (h) of this section. Open (i)(2)(i)(f)
(ii) The employer shall make a copy of this section readily available without cost to each employee covered by this section. 8 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.1153.
Injuries linked to this rule
2 deaths are linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1926.1153(i).
At 11:50 a.m. on November 1, 2024, Employee #1 was using a demo-saw to fit two sections of granite curbstone. The saw kicked back, causing the employee to losehis grip on the trigger with his right hand while the saw continued rotating in his left…
Full case list with employer, penalty, filters and download is part of OSHA Data (Purple Belt).
Unlock with Purple BeltWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2024 | 184 |
| 2025 | 163 |
| 2026 | 124 |
Top states: IL (57), MI (47), NY (43), CT (40), KY (39)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| PHOENIX COATINGS, INC. | MOBILE, AL | $11,585 |
| UNLIMITED CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS | BIXBY, OK | $9,931 |
| ERIE CONSTRUCTION MID-WEST, LLC | NEENAH, WI | $9,218 |
| US TANK PAINTING, INC. | BAYVILLE, NJ | $8,750 |
| THOMAS BUILDERS OF VIRGINIA, INC. | ROANOKE, VA | $8,260 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.1153(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Types of construction work excluded from the Silica standard (2019-07-25)
- Medical surveillance requirements in OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard for construction (2018-02-02)
- Interim Enforcement Guidance for the Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.1153 (2017-10-19)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.1153(i)(2) Employee information and training 330 citations
- 1926.1153(i)(2)(i) 322 citations
- 1926.1153(i)(1) Hazard communication 176 citations
- 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(A) 22 citations
- 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(C) 11 citations
- 1926.1153(i)(2)(i)(F)
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Frequently asked questions
What silica hazards must be covered?
At least cancer, lung effects, immune system effects and kidney effects.
What must workers be able to show they know?
Silica health hazards, tasks that can expose them, the protective measures used, the contents of the rule, who the competent person is, and the purpose of medical surveillance.
Do workers get a copy of the silica rule?
Yes. The employer must make a copy readily available at no cost to each covered employee.
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.