OSHA silica compliance guide
for stone fabricators.
A practical starting point for countertop and stone fabricators working with materials that contain crystalline silica. Understand Table 1, organize your plan, and keep evidence of the controls your shop uses.
Build the documentation around the work.
An OSHA silica compliance program for a stone fabrication shop should describe the tasks your employees perform, the materials involved, the controls used, and the people responsible for checking those controls. A generic policy is not enough if it does not match the saws, grinders, drills, polishing tools, housekeeping methods, and work areas in your facility.
Start by listing where respirable crystalline silica may be generated. Review wet methods, shrouds, dust collectors, HEPA vacuums, filter maintenance, housekeeping, and access restrictions. Then document how workers are trained, how supervisors verify the controls, and what happens when equipment is unavailable or a process changes.
Keep the plan, training records, inspections, and corrective actions easy to find. Lithiq can help organize operational documents and job information, but it does not replace a qualified safety professional or the applicable OSHA standard. Review the official sources below before adopting a program.
Table 1 is a control method, not a shortcut.
Under OSHA's construction silica standard, employers can fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified in Table 1. Alternatively, an employer can assess exposure and use other methods to limit exposure to the permissible exposure limit. The right path depends on the work your shop performs and the standard that applies.
Write the exposure control plan
Document silica-producing tasks, engineering controls, work practices, housekeeping, and access restrictions.
Name a competent person
Assign someone with the knowledge and authority to identify hazards and correct problems promptly.
Train and document
Train workers on hazards, tasks, controls, respirators, the plan, and the identity of the competent person.
Verify controls in the shop
Inspect water delivery, shrouds, dust collectors, HEPA vacuums, filters, housekeeping, and access controls.
Start with the controls your team uses every day.
These are selected examples from OSHA Table 1. Use the official standard for the complete table and exact conditions.
Stationary masonry saws
Integrated water delivery that continuously feeds the blade.
None when Table 1 is fully and properly implemented.
Handheld power saws
Integrated water delivery. Outdoor and indoor requirements differ.
Table 1 specifies APF 10 in several indoor or longer-duration cases.
Handheld grinders
For non-mortar work, use integrated water delivery outdoors or a shroud with dust collection. Indoor requirements differ.
Table 1 specifies APF 10 for indoor or enclosed non-mortar grinding when using the listed controls.
Handheld and stand-mounted drills
Shroud or cowling with dust collection, a 99%+ efficient filter, filter cleaning, and a HEPA vacuum for hole cleanup.
None when Table 1 is fully and properly implemented.
The program work around the tools.
Read the standard before you write the plan.
Make the paperwork easier to find.
Lithiq helps fabrication teams keep jobs, documents, checklists, and operational information organized in one place.
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