Silica Dust Exposure: Respiratory Protection for Concrete Workers

Silica Dust and Concrete Work

Concrete, masonry, and stone contain crystalline silica. Cutting, grinding, or drilling releases respirable silica dust that causes silicosis, an incurable lung disease.

OSHA Silica Standard (29 CFR 1926.1153)

For construction, OSHA uses Table 1 to specify engineering controls and respiratory protection by task.

High-Exposure Tasks Requiring Controls

• Dry cutting with hand-held angle grinder: HEPA vacuum shroud required. If not used, use water and a P100 respirator.
• Walk-behind saw (cutting concrete): Wet cutting suppresses dust. Dry cutting requires a HEPA vacuum.
• Jackhammer / chipping hammer: Must use water or HEPA vacuum. Add full-face air-purifying respirator if controls not feasible.
• Core drilling: Water required. Half-mask P100 if water not available.

Respirator Selection

Exposure Level	Minimum Respirator
25-50 x PEL	P100 half-mask
50-500 x PEL	Powered air-purifying (PAPR)
500+ x PEL	Supplied-air respirator

A standard N95 does NOT protect against silica dust at construction concentrations. Use a P100 half-mask minimum for dry concrete cutting.