Model Written Silica Exposure Control Plan

for Construction Workers

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This is a fillable template that the employer must complete. Instructions in red font enclosed in brackets
indicate where you must enter your worksite-specific information.

Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations (T8CCR), section 1532.3 (“Occupational Exposures to Respirable
Crystalline Silica”) applies to all occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica in construction work, except
where employee exposure will remain below 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air (25 μg/m3) as an 8-hour time-
weighted average (TWA) under any foreseeable conditions.

Cal OSHA developed this model plan to assist employers engaged in construction activities, as defined by section
1502(a), with creating their silica exposure control plan. Construction activities include:
 Alteration
 Painting
 Repairing
 Construction maintenance, renovation, removal, or wrecking of any fixed structure or its parts

Employers are not required to use this model plan, but if they do, the person with the authority and
responsibility for implementing the worksite silica exposure control plan must do all of the following:
 Carefully review all of the elements of section 1532.3.
 Adapt this program to the specific type of workplace and the silica hazards encountered. Using it will
not guarantee that it will meet regulatory requirements. However, it should save some development
time.

Construction employers have the option of using this template or modifying it so that it effectively addresses the
required elements, as outlined in this model and section 1532.3. Using this template is not required and employers
may alternatively use a different silica exposure control plan template or develop their plan from scratch.

Online Resources:
 California Code of Regulations, Title 8 (T8CCR), Table of Contents,
[Link]
o T8CCR, section 1532.3
o T8CCR, section 1530.1
 Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards – Important Update, [Link]
[Link]
 Hazards of Silica in Construction etool, [Link]

December 2019
 Silica Exposure Control Plan for
[Type name of company]
Date [Type latest date here]
This exposure control plan addresses all materials, tasks, and conditions that are relevant to the work performed by
our employees, as follows:

Project [Provide name, location, and description of the construction project.]

Competent Person
The designated competent person is [type name of individual]
All affected employees will know who the competent person is by [provide specific details on how employees will be
informed of who the competent person is at the beginning of every work shift.]
Oversight. [Describe how the competent person will oversee the job to help identify excessive airborne dust and implement
corrections, including in situations where more than one employer may be involved.]

Tasks Involving Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica

The following tasks performed at our jobsites expose employees to respirable crystalline silica. In creating this list, we have
considered tasks that are not listed in Table 1 of section 1532.3 as well as those that are listed.
Task 1: [Table 1 task example. The description must closely match the corresponding Table 1 task. Include the (1) specific
tools/equipment (other than controls) that will be used; (2) silica-containing material to be worked on/with; and (3)
conditions (e.g., inside or outside; enclosed or open area; weather, such as wet/humid vs. dry; windy; less than or more than
4-hour task duration), etc.]
Task 2: [For example, consider a task such as local exhaust and vacuum filter replacement and maintenance as a separate
task with its own specific exposure control measures. Include how water will be used to clean up.]
Task 3: [A non-Table 1 task example. Describe the task to be done, including (1) the specific tools/equipment (other than
controls) to be used; (2) silica-containing material to be worked with/on; and (3) conditions (e.g. inside and/or outside;
enclosed or open area, duration, weather, etc.).]
Task 4: [Describe the task to be done.]

Exposure Controls
For each task we listed above, we must implement engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection, as
required by Table 1 or based on our own exposure assessment. We have determined that we will use exposure controls, as
follows:
Task 1: [Corresponding table 1 task, above. Ensure all of the control measures mandated for that task are described in detail
and appropriate for the duration, i.e., less than or more than 4 hours. Include details, where applicable, on (1) the type of
local exhaust (99% efficiency) and commercially available attachments and/or integrated water controls, as well as HEPA
vacuums (where required by Table 1); (2) method of water application; (3) work practices (e.g., how employees’ proper use
of controls will be ensured); (4) procedures to ensure dust reduction systems maintain their effectiveness throughout the
shift; (5) manufacturer’s instructions on proper use, maintenance, etc.; and (6) respiratory protection (e.g., type of NIOSH-
approved filter, protection factor) used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica (as well as any other
airborne contaminants of concern) for the identified task(s).]

Task 2: [Corresponding task 2, above. Outline how employee exposures will be controlled when exhaust and/or vacuum
filter replacement/cleaning is done. Include how water build-up on surfaces will be removed/cleaned before it dries.]
Task 3: [Corresponding non-table 1 task, above. Provide details on the (1) engineering controls — type of commercially
available (where feasible) local exhaust with 99% efficiency and integrated water controls (where available); (2) method of
water application. E.g. spray-apply water vs. heavy stream and ensure required water volume and pressure will be provided;
(3) work practices (e.g., how employees’ proper use of controls will be ensured); (4) procedures to ensure dust reduction
systems maintain their effectiveness throughout the shift; (5) manufacturer’s instructions on proper use, maintenance, etc.;
and (6) respiratory protection (e.g., type of NIOSH-approved filter, protection factor, etc.) used to limit employee exposure to
respirable crystalline silica (as well as any other airborne contaminants of concern) for the identified task(s).]
Task 4: [Describe the exposure controls to be used.]

Housekeeping
For each task listed above, we must use housekeeping measures that limit employee exposures to respirable crystalline
silica. We use the following housekeeping methods:

Task 1: [Corresponding table 1 task, above. Outline the acceptable and prohibited cleanup measures (e.g., dry sweeping and
use of compressed air is prohibited; water, sweeping compound, or HEPA vacuum must be used). Include how wet surfaces
will be cleaned before they dry.]

Task 2: [Describe the housekeeping measures to be used.]

Task 3: [Describe the housekeeping measures to be used.]

Task 4: [Describe the housekeeping measures to be used.]

Employee Access Control

The following is a description of the procedures used to restrict access to work areas to minimize the number of
employees exposed to respirable crystalline silica and their level of exposure, including exposures generated by other
employers. [Describe measure to be used.]

Exposure Control Plan Review and Availability

The effectiveness of the written exposure control plan will be evaluated at least annually and updated
as necessary by [describe how this will be accomplished.]
It will be made readily available for examination and copying upon request to each affected employee (or their designated
representative) by [describe how this will be accomplished.]