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OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 Compliant

Silica Exposure
Control Plan Template

Construction-ready silica control plan covering Table 1 engineering controls, exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, housekeeping, and recordkeeping. PDF + Word (editable).

2.3M
Workers exposed to silica dust in U.S. construction annually
$15,625
Max OSHA penalty per serious silica violation
18
Table 1 construction task categories requiring specific controls
50 µg/m³
OSHA PEL for respirable crystalline silica (8-hr TWA)

Silica Compliance Catches Contractors Off Guard

OSHA's silica standard went into effect in 2017. Most smaller GCs still don't have a written plan—and inspectors know it.

Table 1 Is Complex — and Mandatory

18 task categories. Each with specific engineering controls, water delivery requirements, HEPA vacuum specs, and respiratory protection triggers. A generic "silica awareness" statement doesn't cut it. OSHA wants task-specific controls documented.

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Medical Surveillance Has Real Deadlines

Workers exposed at or above the Action Level for 30+ days/year need initial and periodic medical exams within defined windows. Miss the deadline—even on a compliant worksite—and you're citing-eligible for a paperwork violation.

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Written Plan Required, But Format Undefined

OSHA requires a written Silica Exposure Control Plan but doesn't hand you a template. Starting from the regulatory text alone takes hours—and missing one of the seven required elements means a citation even if controls are solid in the field.

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Recordkeeping Has Long Retention Windows

Air monitoring records must be kept 30 years. Medical records, 30 years. Objective data, 30 years. No log, no evidence of compliance—even if you did everything right. GCs get cited for records that should exist but weren't kept.

Every Section OSHA Requires—Already Written

Seven complete program sections. Fill in your company name, task list, and competent person. Done.

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Exposure Assessment Procedures

Both options: Table 1 task-based approach and performance option air monitoring. Includes objective data documentation worksheet and sampling strategy matrix.

Table 1 Engineering Controls Log

All 18 task categories pre-populated with required controls. Wet methods, LEV specifications, HEPA vacuum requirements, and respiratory protection triggers by task and duration.

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Respiratory Protection Program

APF selection guide by exposure level, fit testing tracking form, medical evaluation coordination, maintenance and storage requirements, and training documentation.

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Medical Surveillance Program

Eligibility determination worksheet, initial and periodic exam scheduling, PLHCP communication procedures, written medical opinion tracking, and confidential records protocol.

Housekeeping Procedures

Prohibited practices list (dry sweeping, compressed air), HEPA vacuum specifications and maintenance, wet method application procedures, and eating/drinking/smoking area controls.

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Training & Recordkeeping

Annual training agenda and sign-in sheet, air monitoring record retention schedule (30 years), medical record log, objective data file, and competent person inspection forms.

What the Standard Actually Requires

Every provision covered in this template. Column-by-column reference for your compliance review.

Requirement Regulation Trigger Condition Covered
Written Exposure Control Plan 1926.1153(g)(1) All employers with silica-generating tasks ✓ Yes
Designated Competent Person 1926.1153(g)(4) Required to implement exposure control plan ✓ Yes
Table 1 Engineering Controls by Task 1926.1153(c) Tasks listed in Table 1 of the standard ✓ Yes
Exposure Assessment — Air Monitoring 1926.1153(d)(2) Performance option (non-Table 1 tasks or override) ✓ Yes
Exposure Assessment — Objective Data 1926.1153(d)(3) Alternative to air monitoring with documented data ✓ Yes
Engineering and Work Practice Controls 1926.1153(e) Exposures at or above the Action Level ✓ Yes
Respiratory Protection Program 1926.1153(e)(3) Required per Table 1 or when PEL exceeded ✓ Yes
Housekeeping — No Dry Sweeping 1926.1153(f)(1) All silica-generating tasks ✓ Yes
Housekeeping — No Compressed Air Cleaning 1926.1153(f)(2) Where other feasible methods exist ✓ Yes
Medical Surveillance — Initial Exam 1926.1153(h)(1) AL exposure ≥30 days/yr, within 30 days of assignment ✓ Yes
Medical Surveillance — Periodic Exams 1926.1153(h)(2) Every 3 years for qualifying workers ✓ Yes
PLHCP Written Medical Opinion 1926.1153(h)(6) Within 30 days of each medical exam ✓ Yes
Employee Information and Training 1926.1153(i) All workers exposed to silica ✓ Yes
Air Monitoring Recordkeeping (30-yr retention) 1926.1153(j)(1) Performance option exposure assessments ✓ Yes
Medical Surveillance Recordkeeping (30-yr retention) 1926.1153(j)(2) All medical exams, opinions, and communications ✓ Yes

Built for the Field, Ready for an Audit

Structured to pass OSHA inspection and satisfy GC pre-qualification packages. Every field is labeled, every regulation cited.

  • Company logo and contact info on every page
  • Competent person signature block with designation date
  • Table 1 task log with engineering control checkboxes
  • APF selection matrix by exposure scenario
  • Medical surveillance tracking roster
  • Employee training sign-in sheets
  • CFR citation on every program section

SILICA EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

29 CFR 1926.1153 — Respirable Crystalline Silica

________________________ Construction, Inc.
________________
Rev. 1.0
Table 1 Task Controls (§ 1926.1153(c))
Wet cutting ☐   HEPA vacuum ☐   RPE required: APF ≥ 10
Wet methods ☐   HEPA vacuum ☐   RPE: APF ≥ 10
Competent Person (§ 1926.1153(g)(4))
________________________
________________
Each shift
SAMPLE — Anchor Point Safety Solutions

From Download to Compliance in 5 Steps

The template does the structure. Your competent person fills in the job-specific details.

1

Identify Your Silica Tasks

Walk your typical scope. Match each task against the Table 1 list. Note tasks using the performance option.

2

Assign Controls per Task

For each Table 1 task, check the required engineering controls and note respiratory protection requirements by duration.

3

Designate Competent Person

Complete the competent person designation form. Document qualifications and inspection frequency in the plan.

4

Enroll Eligible Workers in Medical Surveillance

Use the eligibility worksheet. Schedule initial exams within 30 days for qualifying workers. Log PLHCP communications.

5

Train, Sign, and File

Conduct annual training using the agenda. Collect sign-in sheets. File plan on-site and ensure competent person reviews each shift.

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Pay once, download instantly. Use it on every project. Free updates for 12 months.

Standalone
$49
one-time download
Full Silica Exposure Control Plan. PDF + Word editable.
  • Written Exposure Control Plan (29 CFR 1926.1153)
  • Table 1 engineering controls — all 18 task categories
  • Respiratory protection program & APF matrix
  • Medical surveillance tracking forms
  • Housekeeping procedures & prohibited practices log
  • Employee training agenda & sign-in sheets
  • 30-year recordkeeping log templates
  • PDF + Word (editable)
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Complete Safety Library
$249
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Every template in our catalog — 12+ documents covering the full construction safety program.
  • All standalone templates
  • Silica Exposure Control Plan included
  • Fall Protection, LOTO, Trenching & more
  • All in PDF + Word
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Common Questions

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 is the federal standard regulating occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in construction, effective June 23, 2016 with enforcement beginning September 23, 2017. The standard sets a PEL of 50 µg/m³ and an Action Level of 25 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA). Employers must either follow Table 1 controls for specific tasks or assess exposures and control them below the PEL. Additional requirements include medical surveillance, housekeeping, training, and a written exposure control plan with a designated competent person.
Table 1 in OSHA 1926.1153 specifies engineering controls and work practices for 18 common construction tasks that generate respirable crystalline silica. If an employer fully implements Table 1 controls for each applicable task, they are not required to measure worker silica exposures. Tasks include handheld power saws, walk-behind saws, drivable saws, rig-mounted core saws and drills, handheld and stand-mounted drills, jackhammers and chipping tools, handheld grinders, walk-behind milling machines, stationary masonry saws, grinding mortar, crushing, and heavy equipment on unpaved surfaces. Each task specifies engineering controls and whether respiratory protection is required based on duration and conditions.
Medical surveillance is required for employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the Action Level (25 µg/m³) for 30 or more days per year. Initial medical exams must be offered within 30 days of initial assignment unless the employee had a qualifying exam within the past three years. Periodic exams are required every three years. Each exam must include medical and work history, physical examination, chest X-ray, spirometry (FVC and FEV1), latent TB testing, and any additional tests the PLHCP deems appropriate. The employer must obtain a written medical opinion within 30 days and keep confidential records for 30 years.
OSHA 1926.1153(f) prohibits dry sweeping or dry brushing where wet sweeping or HEPA-filtered vacuuming is feasible, and prohibits using compressed air to clean clothing or surfaces where other methods are feasible. Required practices include using HEPA-filtered vacuums or wet methods to clean work areas; prohibiting eating, drinking, smoking, chewing tobacco, or applying cosmetics in silica-exposure work areas; and requiring workers to wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or using tobacco products. Wet methods must suppress dust without creating slip hazards or electrical risks.
Per OSHA 1926.1153(g), the written exposure control plan must include: (1) a description of tasks involving silica exposure; (2) engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection used for each task; (3) housekeeping measures; (4) a schedule for implementing additional engineering controls; and (5) procedures to restrict access where exposures exceed the PEL. The plan must be in writing, kept current, and available at the worksite. A designated competent person must implement it. Construction site pre-qualification packages and GC safety audits routinely request this document by name—having it ready prevents work stoppages.

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