OSHA’s Respirable crystalline silica standard for the construction industry – 29 CFR 1926.1153 – paragraph (i)(1) Hazard communication states: 

“The employer shall include respirable crystalline silica in the program established to comply with the hazard communication standard (HCS) (29 CFR 1910.1200).  The employer shall ensure that each employee has access to labels on containers of crystalline silica and safety data sheets, and is trained in accordance with the provisions of HCS and paragraph (i)(2) of this section.  The employer shall ensure that at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects.”

The HCS requires manufacturers or producers of materials, which contain a chemical that can cause health or physical hazards, to make users aware of the potential hazard(s) through safety data sheets (SDS). For silica, the HCS requires SDSs for materials containing “crystalline silica in quantities greater than 0.1%…”  Employers are responsible for ensuring that employees have “access to safety data sheets for all hazardous materials at the workplace.”

Workers doing maintenance, renovation, or repair work may be required to work with existing, already installed materials for which no SDSs are available. In this situation, it is the employer’s responsibility to make sure the workers are safe and made aware of hazards as required under CFR 1926.20. In addition, it is their responsibility under Subpart C to determine whether materials pose hazards. Until that determination is made, when working with materials known to contain silica– such as mortars, cement, concrete or grout– engineering controls should be used to avoid generating dust whenever possible. If not, wear respiratory protection. 

For the latest on the HCS’s SDS requirements, visit OSHA Hazard Communication.