Quick Link
For information related to general industry, see OSHA's Silica, Crystalline page.

• ADSC: International Association of Foundation Drilling. OSHA Alliance Page. Focuses on providing the association’s members and others in the foundation drilling industry, including small businesses and non-English or limited English speaking employees, with information, guidance, and access to training resources to help them protect employees’ health and safety.
  • Silica-Related Diseases. Provides links to OSHA Alliance pages that have information specifically relating to silica-related diseases.

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.55, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
    • Appendix A, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
  • 1926.57, Ventilation

• For additional information on specific state plans or other general standards, see the general industry OSHA Standards page.

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry on crystalline silica.

• Crystalline Silica Exposure Card for Construction. OSHA, (2002). A Spanish version is also available. Discusses what silica is, what are its hazards, and what employers and employees can do to protect against exposures to silica.
• Crystalline Silica Exposure in the Construction Industry. OSHA. Also available as a 55 KB PDF, 2 pages.
• "Crystalline Silica Exposure" Health Hazard Information for Construction Employees. OSHA Publication 3177, (2002). Also available as a 38 KB PDF, 2 pages and a 42 KB PDF (Spanish version). Discusses what silica is, what are its hazards, and what employers and employees can do to protect against exposures to silica.
• Crystalline Silica Exposures in Construction. OSHA (Ellen I. Roznowski), (1997, July). Includes case studies and OSHA enforcement data.
• Silicosis: Learn the Facts. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-108, (2004). Contains information on silica dust, silicosis disease, its symptoms, protective measures and which respirators to use.
• Silicosis in Sandblasters: A Case Study Adapted for Use in U.S. High Schools. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2002-105, (2002, June). Provides a case study developed for use in teaching epidemiology to high school students. Includes basic information about the disease silicosis, potential routes of exposure to silica, and controls.
• Control of Hazardous Dust during Tuckpointing. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 2008-126, (2008, September).
• Preventing Silicosis and Deaths in Construction Workers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-112, (1996). Contains information on crystalline silica, silicosis disease, exposure limits, case studies, and examples of exposures at construction sites.
• Preventing Silicosis and Deaths from Sandblasting. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-102, (1992, August). Contains silica hazard information for abrasive blasting.
• Preventing Silicosis and Death in Rock Drillers. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 92-107, (1992, August). Contains silica hazard information for rock drillers.
• Prevention of Silicosis Deaths. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-124, (1993). Describes silica hazards in sandblasting operations.
• Flanagan ME, Loewenherz C, et al. Indoor wet concrete cutting and coring exposure evaluation. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 2001 Dec;16(12):1097-100.
• Simcox NJ, Logren D, et al. Silica exposure during granite counter top fabrication. Applied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 1999;14(9):577-82.
• Silicosis in Construction. Demolition Magazine (John A. Mineo), (1997, Mar-Apr). Summarizes silicosis in construction, including information on silicosis disease, sources of exposure, exposure limits, and control measures.
• For information on the health effects of silicosis and for general resources, see the general industry Hazard Recognition page.
• For additional information on the hazards associated with crystalline silica exposure, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Carcinogens
  • Hazardous and Toxic Substances

• For information on exposure evaluation, see the general industry Exposure Evaluation page.

• Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction. OSHA Publication 3362-04, (2009), 1 MB PDF^*, 72 pages. Provides information on the effectiveness of various engineering control approaches for several kinds of construction operations and equipment, and contains recommendations for work practices and respiratory protection.
• Construction Workers: It's Not Just Dust! ... Prevent Silicosis. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-101, (1997). Summarizes the presence of silica exposures in the construction industry and describes prevention measures.
• Control Technology for Crystalline Silica Exposures in Construction: Wet Abrasive Blasting. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Report No. ECTB 247-11, (1999, December). Describes how a wet abrasive blasting system sufficiently reduced respirable crystalline silica exposures so that air purifying respirators could be used to control worker exposure to crystalline silica.
• For additional information regarding possible ways of controlling crystalline silica exposures, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Medical Screening and Surveillance
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Respiratory Protection
• For additional information, see the general industry Possible Solutions page.

• Construction Industry

• Silicosis. OSHA. Provides program information, presentation and training materials.
  • Silica. Slide Presentation, 78 slides.

• Silicosis Prevention. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Provides links to silica related information.
• OSHA Silica Stakeholder Meetings. OSHA.