29 CFR 1910.1053: Respirable crystalline silica
The official text is on the eCFR. This page maps how the section is organized, quotes the paragraphs our CSP practice questions are built on, and gives free questions you can try. Text below is quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; the section was last amended 2019-07-31.
How 29 CFR 1910.1053 is organized
- (a) Scope and application8 paragraphs
- (b) Definitions12 paragraphs
- (c) Permissible exposure limit (PEL)1 paragraph
- (d) Exposure assessment—(1) General13 paragraphs
- (e) Regulated areas—(1) Establishment8 paragraphs
- (f)8 paragraphs
- (g) Respiratory protection—(1) General6 paragraphs
- (h) Housekeeping4 paragraphs
- (i) Medical surveillance—(1) General32 paragraphs
- (j)15 paragraphs
- (k) Recordkeeping—(1) Air monitoring data24 paragraphs
- (l) Dates7 paragraphs
- [Appendix A to § 1910.1053]11 paragraphs
- [Appendix B to § 1910.1053]161 paragraphs
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 6 live PassCited questions built on this section. This reflects our question bank, not the real exam.
“(v) Where the most recent (non-initial) exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring until two consecutive measurements, taken 7 or more days apart, are below the action level, at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.”
“(f) Methods of compliance—(1) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall use engineering and work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica to or below the PEL, unless the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that com…”
“(C) A description of the housekeeping measures used to limit employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica.”
“(iii) A chest X-ray (a single posteroanterior radiographic projection or radiograph of the chest at full inspiration recorded on either film (no less than 14 x 17 inches and no more than 16 x 17 inches) or digital radiography systems), interpreted and classified according to the International Labour Office (ILO) International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses by a NIOSH-certified B Reader;”
“(G) Name and job classification of all employees represented by the monitoring, indicating which employees were actually monitored.”
Free practice questions on 29 CFR 1910.1053
Question 1
A fabrication shop's air monitoring shows that, even with a well-maintained local exhaust ventilation system and wet-cutting methods in place, employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica remains above the PEL. The employer has confirmed that no additional feasible engineering or work practice controls are available. What does the silica standard require the employer to do?
Show answer and source
Answer: B. Keep using the feasible engineering and work practice controls to reach the lowest feasible exposure level and supplement them with compliant respiratory protection
The standard requires that feasible engineering and work practice controls be used anyway to reduce exposure to the lowest feasible level, supplemented by respiratory protection. Dropping the controls in favor of respirators alone is wrong because the controls must still be used even when they cannot reach the PEL.
Answer B rests on
29 CFR 1910.1053(f)(1)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Wherever such feasible engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them with the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (g) of this section.”
Question 2
A foundry uses the scheduled monitoring option for respirable crystalline silica. Initial personal sampling of a core-room operator showed an 8-hour TWA between the action level and the PEL. The employer repeated the sampling six months later, and the result was below the action level. Nothing about production, process, controls, personnel, or work practices has changed since. What must the employer do next for this operator's group?
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Answer: C. Repeat monitoring within six months of the most recent sample, and continue until two consecutive measurements taken 7 or more days apart are below the action level
The latest sample is a non-initial result below the action level, but only one such result exists, so the employer cannot yet stop. The standard requires repeat sampling within six months until two consecutive measurements, 7 or more days apart, are below the action level. Discontinuing now is wrong because that second qualifying measurement is missing.
Answer C rests on
29 CFR 1910.1053(d)(3)(v)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“Where the most recent (non-initial) exposure monitoring indicates that employee exposures are below the action level, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring until two consecutive measurements, taken 7 or more days apart, are below the action level, at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such monitoring, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.”
Where it shows up in exam prep
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Other Part 1910 sections
- 29 CFR 1910.1020: Access to employee exposure and medical records
- 29 CFR 1910.1030: Bloodborne pathogens
- 29 CFR 1910.106: Flammable liquids
- 29 CFR 1910.119: Process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals
- 29 CFR 1910.120: Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
- 29 CFR 1910.1200: Hazard communication
This is a study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text. Original practice questions, not real exam items. PassCited is not affiliated with or endorsed by BCSP.