851 Silica Dust Safety in Construction

Communicating Hazards

• Each employee should have access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and be trained in accordance with the provisions of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS).
• The employer should ensure at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.

Employee Information and Training

The employer should make sure each affected employee demonstrates knowledge and understanding of at least the following:

• The health hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
• Specific tasks in the workplace that could result in exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
• 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;
• The contents of 29 CFR 1926.1153;
• The identity of the competent person designated by the employer; and
• The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program.

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