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851 Silica Dust Safety in Construction
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General Requirements

Respiratory protection is required where specified by Table 1 in OSHA's 29 CFR 1926.1153, or where the employer does not fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection described in the table:

  • Where exposures exceed the PEL during periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work practice controls;
  • Where exposures exceed the PEL during tasks and engineering and work practice controls are not feasible; and
  • During tasks when engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce exposures to or below the PEL.

Specified Exposure Control Methods

For the tasks listed in 29 CFR 1926.1153, Table 1, if the employer fully and properly implements the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection described in Table 1, the employer should be considered to be in compliance with:

  • the requirements for selection of respirators, and
  • with regard to exposure to respirable crystalline silica.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

6-2. What is required by OSHA where the employer does not meet the requirements detailed in 29 CFR 1926.1153, Table 1?