Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction: How To Reduce Exposure

What “respirable crystalline silica” actually means

Crystalline silica is a mineral found in many common construction materials like concrete, brick, block, mortar, stone, and sand. When those materials are disturbed, especially by powered tools, dust is created.

“Respirable” refers to the smallest particles: the ones that stay airborne longer, travel further, and can be inhaled deep into the lungs. OSHA emphasizes that these tiny particles are the concern because they reach the lower parts of the respiratory system. 

How exposure happens on construction sites

Silica exposure is common in everyday work. OSHA lists multiple routine construction activities that can create respirable silica exposure, including work with masonry saws, grinders, drills, jackhammers, chipping tools, crushing machines, and demolition activities.

If your crew does any of the following, silica control should be part of your job planning:

• Cutting concrete, block, brick, or pavers

• Grinding or polishing concrete

• Drilling into masonry

• Jackhammering, chipping, or demolition

• Operating crushing/milling equipment

• Cleanup methods that re-launch dust into the air

Silica isn’t limited to the worker holding the tool. Dust can drift into walkways and adjacent areas, meaning nearby trades may be exposed even if they aren’t doing the high-dust task.

Why silica is different from “normal dust”

Silica is a slow-burn hazard. Workers may not feel immediate symptoms, even with significant exposure, which is why it often gets treated as a nuisance rather than a serious health risk.

The impact is real and well-documented:

• OSHA states silica exposure can cause silicosis and other serious diseases. (OSHA)

• CDC/NIOSH reports occupational exposures are associated with silicosis, lung cancer, airways diseases, and other adverse health effects. (CDC Stacks)

For employers, silica risk also shows up operationally:

• rework from dusty work areas

• conflicts between trades

• downtime when controls aren’t ready or fail

• urgent documentation/training gaps when requirements are questioned

What effective silica control looks like (in the field)

Silica control works best when it’s designed into the task, not treated as optional PPE.

CDC/NIOSH emphasizes preventing exposures through safe work practices and engineering controls when working with silica-containing materials like concrete and mortar. C

Controls that consistently reduce exposure

These approaches are widely recognized across safety guidance:

1) Engineering controls (first choice)

• Wet methods (water delivery at the point of contact)

• Local exhaust ventilation / dust collection (capture dust at the source)

2) Work practices (how the job is done)

• Keep dust-generating tasks contained

• Position workers to avoid standing in dust plumes

• Reduce time on high-dust tasks where possible

• Plan sequencing so other trades aren’t in the exposure zone

3) Housekeeping

• Use cleanup methods that don’t re-suspend dust (avoid creating airborne dust during cleanup where feasible alternatives exist) 

4) Respiratory protection
Respirators may be required depending on task, environment, and exposure level. Where required, they only work as intended when paired with the right program elements (selection, fit, use, and maintenance).

A simple silica planning checklist for foremen and supervisors

Use this as a quick pre-task check anytime high-dust work is scheduled:

Before work starts

• Confirm the task involves silica-containing materials (concrete/brick/block/mortar/stone)

• Identify how dust will be controlled (wet method or dust collection)

• Check equipment is ready (water feed flowing, vac hose intact, filters maintained)

• Set boundaries so other trades aren’t pulled into the dust zone

• Confirm cleanup approach won’t re-launch dust

During the task

• Controls stay on the entire time (not “most of the time”)

• Dust isn’t drifting into walkways or adjacent work

• If conditions change (indoors, tighter area, longer duration), reassess controls and protection

After the task

• Cleanup reduces re-suspension of fine dust

• Note any control failures so the next crew isn’t set up to repeat them

Training: the fastest way to reduce preventable exposure

Even strong controls fail when people don’t recognize silica tasks, don’t know what “good control” looks like, or don’t understand why shortcuts matter. Training creates a shared baseline so workers and supervisors can make consistent decisions under production pressure.

If you want a clear starting point, choose training based on exposure:

• For workers on or near sites where silica may be generated (awareness / limited exposure):
  Respirable Crystalline Silica Awareness for Construction

• For workers who routinely cut, grind, drill, demo, or are directly exposed:
  Respirable Crystalline Silica in Construction for the Exposed Worker

Browse related training course options here:

Bottom line

Silica control isn’t about adding friction to production, it’s about running work in a way that prevents invisible exposure from becoming a long-term health issue or a jobsite disruption.

If your crews touch concrete, block, brick, mortar, or stone with powered tools, silica belongs in your daily planning, and training is the quickest way to make those controls consistent across the site. 

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