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For information related to construction, see OSHA's Silica, Crystalline - Construction page.

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart G, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1910.94, Ventilation [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page] 
  • 1910.1000, Air contaminants
    • Table Z-1, Limits for air contaminants
    • Table Z-3, Mineral dusts

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart C, Surface preparation and preservation
  • 1915.34, Mechanical paint removers
• 1915 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances
  • 1915.1000, Air contaminants

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.55, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
    • Appendix A, Gases, vapors, fumes, dusts, and mists
  • 1926.57, Ventilation

• The OSHA Regulatory Agenda contains an entry on crystalline silica.

• Air Contaminants (1989)
  • VI. Health Effects Discussion and Determination of Final PEL. Includes information on silica and silicosis.
• Search all available preambles to final rules.

• National Emphasis Program – Crystalline Silica. OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-007, (2008, January 24). Includes an updated list of industries commonly known to have overexposures to silica; detailed information on potential hazards linked to silica and about current research regarding silica exposure hazards; guidance on calculating the Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for dust containing respirable crystalline silica in the construction and maritime industries; and guidance on conducting silica-related inspections.
• Search all available directives.

• Requirements for maintaining Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for coal including coal dust, fly ash, and silica dust. (2005, April 27).
• Respirators for silica dust must be selected based on exposure levels. (1999, May 12).
• Special emphasis program for silicosis. (1998, March 27).
• Label requirements for crystalline silica. (1991, February 11).
• Search all available standard interpretations.