Silica dust rule for construction (OSHA)

General info only. Check with a licensed pro and your local building department.

If in doubt, stop and call a licensed professional.

Cutting concrete, brick, stone or block? OSHA has a specific construction standard.

What the sources say

Topic	What the source says	Source
Two ways to comply	Use the control methods in Table 1 of the construction standard, or measure worker exposure and choose controls that keep exposure under the limit.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Written plan	Every covered employer needs a written exposure control plan and a competent person to carry it out.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Housekeeping	Limit housekeeping practices that expose workers to silica where feasible alternatives exist.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Medical exams	Offer medical exams every three years to workers required to wear a respirator 30 or more days a year.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Training and records	Train workers on silica tasks and controls. Keep records of exposure measurements, objective data and medical exams.	Source page checked 2026-11-02
Water on the blade	OSHA: applying water to a saw blade when cutting stone, concrete, brick and block greatly reduces dust.	Source page checked 2026-11-02

Checked 2026-11-02. General information, not legal advice.