851 Silica Dust Safety in Construction

Written Exposure Control Plan (ECP)

The components of an effective ECP should include at least the following elements:

• A description of the tasks in the workplace that involve exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
• A description of the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica for each task;
• A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica; and
• 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.
• The employer should review and evaluate the effectiveness of the written exposure control plan at least annually and update it as necessary.
• The employer should make the written exposure control plan readily available to each employee and their designated representatives.
• The employer should designate a competent person to make frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to implement the written exposure control plan.

ECP Evaluation

It is important to conduct regular inspections in general industry workplaces and construction worksites for silica dust exposures, and evaluations of the ECP. To help ensure an effective ECP and positive OSHA enforcement inspections, be sure to check and evaluate the areas in the checklist to the right.

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