For teams working across UK–US projects, OSHA’s silica standards clarify what “good control” looks like. The construction rule (29 CFR 1926.1153) and general industry rule (1910.1053) set a Permissible Exposure Limit of 50 µg/m³ (0.05 mg/m³) and an Action Level of 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA.

How compliance works in practice

• Construction Table 1: follow listed control methods (e.g., water suppression or on-tool extraction for specific tools) and you need no routine personal monitoring.
• Alternative path: use objective data or air monitoring to prove exposures are below the PEL for your specific method and materials.
• Competent person: appoint someone to implement the control plan, inspect controls, and correct issues.

Controls that consistently work

• Capture at source: correct shrouds, tight hose connections, and verified extraction flow under load; reduce cutting speed and passes.
• Airborne control: air scrubbers or negative air machines with high-efficiency filtration (HEPA; H13/H14 when targeting fine respirable dusts). Portable units from suppliers such as MAXVAC can support enclosed areas.
• Housekeeping: OSHA prohibits dry sweeping/air; use HEPA vacuums and scheduled clean-downs.
• RPE: provide when engineering and work practices cannot keep exposures low enough.

Medical and training elements

• Medical surveillance in the US is required for workers exposed at or above the Action Level for 30 or more days per year.
• Worker information and training must cover tasks that involve exposure and the controls used.

UK relevance

• HSE’s WEL for RCS is 0.1 mg/m³ (8-hr TWA). While limits differ, the practical controls are the same: source capture, airborne reduction, housekeeping, and RPE.
• Adopt a “Table 1” mindset in method statements—specify tool, control, maintenance, and setup checks rather than leaving it to chance.

Practical takeaways

• Design work around source capture and verified airflow; do not rely on free-air figures.
• Use air scrubbers for enclosed or high-dust tasks and maintain filter performance.
• Document your “Table 1” style methods so crews know exactly how to set up and check controls.

Whether on US or UK sites, consistent control comes from clear methods, competent supervision, and verification by measurement.