Silica Dust Safety in Construction

The Silica Dust Safety in Construction course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals provides dedicated, in-depth training on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 (Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction), the standard that prevents silicosis, lung cancer, and other silica-related diseases in construction workers. Silica exposure occurs whenever construction activities disturb materials containing crystalline silica: cutting concrete, drilling masonry, grinding stone, jackhammering, tuckpointing, and abrasive blasting with sand. The resulting respirable dust particles are too small to see but cause permanent, incurable lung disease.

While the Health Hazards in Construction course covers silica as one of many health hazards, this dedicated course provides the full Table 1 competency: the 18 construction tasks listed in Table 1 with the specific engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for each. This is the depth that competent persons, supervisors, and safety officers need to implement 1926.1153 correctly on every project.

The curriculum covers silica health effects (silicosis types, lung cancer, COPD, kidney disease, autoimmune conditions), which construction materials contain silica (concrete, morite, granite, sandstone, brick, tile), which construction tasks generate respirable silica (and at what exposure levels), the OSHA PEL (50 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA), Table 1 task-by-task specified controls (the engineering control, work practice, and respiratory protection for each of 18 tasks), alternative exposure control plans (when Table 1 does not apply), exposure monitoring requirements, medical surveillance (chest X-ray, pulmonary function, TB screening), competent person designation and duties, written exposure control plan, and the housekeeping requirements (no dry sweeping, no compressed air cleaning). All training is delivered 100 percent online through the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, wallet card, and transcript, employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify silica-generating construction tasks: concrete/masonry cutting, drilling, grinding, jackhammering, tuckpointing, milling, abrasive blasting, and every task where construction materials containing crystalline silica are disturbed.
• Apply Table 1 specified controls for each task: the specific engineering control (wet methods, on-tool vacuum, enclosed cab), work practice (continuous water flow, operator positioning), and respiratory protection (APF 10, 25, or none) specified for each of 18 construction tasks.
• Develop alternative exposure control plans: when Table 1 does not apply (task not listed or employer chooses alternative), the alternative plan requirements including exposure assessment demonstrating exposures below the PEL and the measures used to achieve that result.
• Manage exposure monitoring: when monitoring is required (alternative exposure control plan), monitoring methodology, interpreting results against the PEL (50 µg/m³ TWA) and action level (25 µg/m³), and the ongoing monitoring requirements.
• Implement medical surveillance: which workers are covered (exposed above action level for 30+ days/year or required to wear a respirator for 30+ days/year), examination content (medical history, chest X-ray, pulmonary function, TB screening), frequency (initial and every 3 years), and the medical removal provisions.
• Execute competent person duties: designating a competent person to implement the written exposure control plan, make frequent and regular inspections, and ensure compliance with the standard.
• Apply housekeeping requirements: prohibition against dry sweeping and compressed air cleaning of silica dust, HEPA-filtered vacuuming, wet sweeping, and the housekeeping that prevents re-suspension of settled silica dust.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Silica Health Effects: acute/accelerated/chronic silicosis, lung cancer, COPD, kidney disease
• Silica-Containing Materials: concrete, mortar, granite, sandstone, brick, tile, percentages
• Silica-Generating Tasks: cutting, drilling, grinding, jackhammering, tuckpointing, blasting
• OSHA PEL: 50 µg/m³ TWA, action level 25 µg/m³
• Table 1: 18 tasks with specified engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection
• Alternative Exposure Control Plans: when to use, exposure assessment, documentation
• Exposure Monitoring: methodology, PEL/action level comparison, ongoing requirements
• Medical Surveillance: covered workers, exam content, frequency, medical removal
• Competent Person: designation, duties, inspection, compliance assurance
• Written Exposure Control Plan: required elements, task descriptions, controls, responsibilities
• Respiratory Protection: APR selection, fit testing, programme per 1910.134
• Housekeeping: no dry sweep, no compressed air, HEPA vacuum, wet methods

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Silica Dust Safety in Construction — YOU ARE HERE (1926.1153 specialist)
• Health Hazards in Construction (silica as one of many health hazards)
• Introduction to Industrial Hygiene (IH fundamentals including exposure limits)
• Hearing Conservation Program (another health standard requiring programme management)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene (silica at diploma depth)

• Concrete cutters, masons, and workers performing silica-generating tasks
• Construction supervisors overseeing silica-generating work
• Competent persons designated for silica compliance per 1926.1153
• Safety officers managing silica exposure control programmes
• Occupational health professionals managing medical surveillance
• Any construction employer whose workers disturb silica-containing materials