Respirable Crystalline Silica Awareness Training 1926.1153

Our OSHA Silica Awareness Training course is designed to provide an overview of the hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica (also known as silica dust) and the hazard controls that can be implemented to limit exposure to safe levels.

Silica compounds occur naturally in the environment and can also be produced synthetically. Such naturally occurring compounds or man-made compounds often expose workers to silica dust above the acceptable silica permissible exposure limit (PEL) as specified by the OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards.

Workers are exposed to respirable crystalline silica in a variety of industries, including construction, mining, oil and gas extraction, stone countertop fabrication, foundries, and other manufacturing settings. Such workers may at a greater risk of contracting silicosis and other lung ailments, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and even cancer.

In order to protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued respirable crystalline silica standards for the General Industry and Maritime (29 CFR 1910.1053) and the Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926.1153).

The core objective of the OSHA Silica Awareness Training course is to familiarize workers with the hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica and hazard controls that must be implemented to minimize exposure within safe limits in compliance with OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standards for the general industry (29 CFR 1910.1053) and the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.1153).

Learning Objectives

After completing the OSHA Silica Awareness Training course, the student will be able to:

• Understand general requirements of OSHA’s Respirable Silica Standards for the General Industry and the Construction Industry;
• Define silica and identify the natural and man-made sources of this compound;
• Recognize the sources of occupational silica exposure for workers;
• List the various diseases caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica;
• Recall the OSHA-specified action level (AL) and permissible exposure limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica;
• Understand the compliance requirements for workers who choose to use specific exposure control methods;
• Understand OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard compliance requirements for workers who choose to use alternate exposure control methods; and
• Understand OSHA requirements relating to exposure control plan, silica relevant respiratory protection, housekeeping, training, and recordkeeping for workers exposed to silica in the workplace.

Course Content

LESSONS

OSHA Silica Awareness Training: Introduction

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Silica– This first lesson of the OSHA Silica Awareness Training course defines silica and gives an overview of the types of silica, differentiating between crystalline and amorphous silica, explains respirable crystalline silica, and summarizes the types of health hazards when exposed to silica, explains the types of silicosis, and discusses the sources of occupational silica exposure for workers.

• Lesson 2: Regulatory Overview– The lesson covers the general requirements of the OSHA general industry and construction industry respirable crystalline silica standards; provides details about the silica action level (AL) and the silica PEL; and guidance to comply with specified exposure control methods as per Silica Table 1 that includes respiratory protection, monitoring, methods of sample analysis, and hazard communication specifically related to silica.

• Lesson 3: Exposure Control Plan– This final lesson gives the learner detailed guidance on preparing and implementing a written silica exposure control plan. This includes housekeeping needs, medical surveillance requirements, and recordkeeping obligations as specified by OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standards for the construction industry and the general industry.

Final Examination

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This course is designed by OSHA Certified Outreach Trainers and is updated and reviewed as soon as new requirements or regulations are issued by OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory agencies. The course meets the compliance requirements of OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards for the General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1053) and the Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926.1153).

Training Requirements

There are no prerequisites for enrolling in this OSHA Silica Awareness Training course.

Safety Training Certification

Once you complete this OSHA Silica Awareness Training course, you will immediately be able to download, save, or print your Course Completion Certificate in PDF format.

A Final Note

It is important to remember that attending an OSHA Silica Awareness Training course on its own will not make a worker competent. Competence is developed over time by implementing the knowledge acquired through a training course to on-the-job work processes. Therefore, in addition to this silica awareness online course it is important that you receive additional on-site training from your employer.