Table 1 - Overview for Fiber Cement

Under 29 CFR 1926.1153(c), Table 1 lists several construction site tasks that generate silica dust and specified equipment and practices – called “engineering controls” – to keep dust below the PEL.

Under 29 CFR 1926.1153(c)(iii), OSHA provides a specific safe harbor practice for cutting for cutting fiber cement boards using a handheld power saw (with blade diameter of 8 inches or less)¹:

For tasks performed outdoors only:

• Use saw equipped with commercially-available dust collection system
• Operate and maintain tool in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to minimize dust emissions
• Dust collector must provide the air flow recommended by the tool manufacturer, or greater, and have a filter with 99% or greater efficiency.

OSHA has stated that “full and proper implementation” of the above Table 1 control does not require the use of respirators (dust masks) and satisfies the employer's duty to achieve the PEL without the need for additional exposure monitoring.<sup>2

1 OSHA Final Silica Rule 2016-04800: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-03-25/pdf/2016-04800.pdf
2 OSHA Standard §1926.1153, p 3: https://www.osha.gov/silica/SilicaConstructionRegText.pdf</sup>

 

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