OSHA construction silica practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1926.1153. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA Respirable crystalline silica
20 questions across 6 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Scope and definitions
1. Under its scope paragraph, which occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in construction work is outside the coverage of 1926.1153?
- A. Where the employer has fewer than ten employees
- B. Where the work lasts less than one week
- C. Where employee exposure will remain below 25 µg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions
- D. Where the work is done outdoors
Show answer
Answer: C. Where employee exposure will remain below 25 µg/m3 as an 8-hour TWA under any foreseeable conditions
The section applies to all occupational exposures 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."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. How does 1926.1153 define "employee exposure" to respirable crystalline silica?
- A. The exposure measured inside the employee's respirator
- B. The exposure that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator
- C. The average exposure of all employees on the site
- D. The exposure measured at the edge of the work area
Show answer
Answer: B. The exposure that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator
Employee exposure means "the exposure to airborne respirable crystalline silica that would occur if the employee were not using a respirator."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
3. Under the 1926.1153 definition, what must a competent person be capable of and authorized to do?
- A. Identify existing and foreseeable silica hazards and take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them
- B. Analyze air samples in an accredited laboratory
- C. Sign medical opinions and order chest X-rays
- D. Issue OSHA citations to other employers on the site
Show answer
Answer: A. Identify existing and foreseeable silica hazards and take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them
A competent person is "capable of identifying existing and foreseeable respirable crystalline silica hazards in the workplace" and "has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or minimize them."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
4. Under the 1926.1153 definitions, who counts as a "specialist"?
- A. Any NIOSH-certified B Reader
- B. Any licensed respiratory therapist
- C. The employer's competent person
- D. An American Board Certified Specialist in Pulmonary Disease or in Occupational Medicine
Show answer
Answer: D. An American Board Certified Specialist in Pulmonary Disease or in Occupational Medicine
"Specialist means an American Board Certified Specialist in Pulmonary Disease or an American Board Certified Specialist in Occupational Medicine."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Specified exposure control methods (Table 1)
5. For an employee doing a task listed on Table 1, what must the employer do unless it assesses and limits the employee's exposure under paragraph (d)?
- A. Provide a respirator only if the employee asks for one
- B. Fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1
- C. Do air monitoring every three months
- D. Get written permission from OSHA before starting the task
Show answer
Answer: B. Fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1
The employer "shall fully and properly implement the engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection specified for the task on Table 1, unless the employer assesses and limits the exposure of the employee" under paragraph (d).
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. An employee performs more than one Table 1 task in a shift, and all tasks combined last more than four hours. Which respiratory protection applies to each task?
- A. The protection for the single longest task only
- B. The protection specified for less than four hours per shift
- C. No respirator, because each task alone is under four hours
- D. The protection specified for more than four hours per shift
Show answer
Answer: D. The protection specified for more than four hours per shift
Where the total duration of all Table 1 tasks combined "is more than four hours, the required respiratory protection for each task is the respiratory protection specified for more than four hours per shift."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
7. When a Table 1 control includes an enclosed cab or booth, what must its intake air be filtered through?
- A. Any filter the equipment maker supplies
- B. A water spray curtain
- C. A filter that is 95% efficient in the 0.3-10.0 µm range (e.g., MERV-16 or better)
- D. An activated carbon filter only
Show answer
Answer: C. A filter that is 95% efficient in the 0.3-10.0 µm range (e.g., MERV-16 or better)
The enclosed cab or booth must have "intake air that is filtered through a filter that is 95% efficient in the 0.3-10.0 µm range (e.g., MERV-16 or better)".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
8. For tasks done indoors or in enclosed areas while implementing Table 1 controls, what must the employer provide?
- A. A means of exhaust as needed to minimize the accumulation of visible airborne dust
- B. Air monitoring every shift
- C. A HEPA vacuum for each employee
- D. A second worker to watch for dust
Show answer
Answer: A. A means of exhaust as needed to minimize the accumulation of visible airborne dust
For tasks performed indoors or in enclosed areas, the employer must "provide a means of exhaust as needed to minimize the accumulation of visible airborne dust".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
9. On Table 1, what respiratory protection is required for a stationary masonry saw used with an integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade?
- A. None, for both four hours or less and more than four hours per shift
- B. APF 10 for any duration
- C. APF 10 only for more than four hours per shift
- D. APF 25 for any duration
Show answer
Answer: A. None, for both four hours or less and more than four hours per shift
Table 1 row (i) for stationary masonry saws lists the control "Use saw equipped with integrated water delivery system that continuously feeds water to the blade" and "None" in both respiratory protection columns.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
10. On Table 1, a handheld power saw with integrated water delivery is used indoors for four hours or less in a shift. What minimum respiratory protection is listed?
- A. None
- B. APF 10
- C. APF 25
- D. APF 50
Show answer
Answer: B. APF 10
For handheld power saws (any blade diameter) with water delivery, Table 1 lists "When used indoors or in an enclosed area" as "APF 10" for four hours or less and "APF 10" for more than four hours per shift.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
11. On Table 1, what minimum respiratory protection is listed for handheld grinders for mortar removal (tuckpointing) used more than four hours per shift?
- A. None
- B. APF 10
- C. APF 25
- D. APF 50
Show answer
Answer: C. APF 25
Table 1 row (xi) lists "Use grinder equipped with commercially available shroud and dust collection system" with APF 10 for four hours or less and "APF 25" for more than four hours per shift.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. On Table 1, how must holes be cleaned when using handheld and stand-mounted drills?
- A. With compressed air
- B. By dry brushing
- C. With a wet rag after each shift
- D. With a HEPA-filtered vacuum
Show answer
Answer: D. With a HEPA-filtered vacuum
The Table 1 controls for handheld and stand-mounted drills include "Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum when cleaning holes".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Alternative exposure control methods
13. An employees' designated representative observes silica air monitoring in an area where protective clothing or equipment is required for a workplace hazard. What must the employer do?
- A. Keep the observer out of the area
- B. Charge the observer for the equipment used
- C. Let the observer enter without equipment if escorted
- D. Provide the observer with protective clothing and equipment at no cost and ensure the observer uses it
Show answer
Answer: D. Provide the observer with protective clothing and equipment at no cost and ensure the observer uses it
In that case "the employer shall provide the observer with protective clothing and equipment at no cost and shall ensure that the observer uses such clothing and equipment."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
14. Under the scheduled monitoring option, the most recent monitoring shows exposures at or above the action level but at or below the PEL. What deadline does the rule set for repeating monitoring?
- A. Within six months of the most recent monitoring
- B. Within one year of the most recent monitoring
- C. Within three months of the most recent monitoring
- D. Only when the job ends
Show answer
Answer: A. Within six months of the most recent monitoring
Where the most recent monitoring shows exposures "at or above the action level but at or below the PEL, the employer shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
15. Under the scheduled monitoring option, the most recent non-initial monitoring shows employee exposures below the action level. When may the employer discontinue monitoring for the employees those results represent, apart from the reassessment rule in (d)(2)(iv)?
- A. Immediately, on the strength of that one result
- B. After one year in which no result is above the PEL
- C. When two consecutive measurements, taken seven or more days apart, are below the action level
- D. Never, while the project lasts
Show answer
Answer: C. When two consecutive measurements, taken seven or more days apart, are below the action level
In that case the employer "shall repeat such monitoring within six months of the most recent monitoring until two consecutive measurements, taken seven 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".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. An exposure assessment indicates that employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica is above the PEL. Under 1926.1153(d)(2)(vi)(B), what must the employer describe in the written notification?
- A. The laboratory's fee for analyzing the samples
- B. The corrective action being taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL
- C. The names of employees who declined respirators
- D. The date of OSHA's next inspection of the site
Show answer
Answer: B. The corrective action being taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL
"Whenever an exposure assessment indicates that employee exposure is above the PEL, the employer shall describe in the written notification the corrective action being taken to reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Housekeeping and written plan
17. When does 1926.1153 allow dry sweeping where it could contribute to employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica?
- A. Only when wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible
- B. Whenever employees wear respirators
- C. At the end of every shift
- D. Whenever the work is done outdoors
Show answer
Answer: A. Only when wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible
The employer "shall not allow dry sweeping or dry brushing" where it could contribute to exposure "unless wet sweeping, HEPA-filtered vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of exposure are not feasible."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. Under 1926.1153(g)(3), to whom must the employer make the written exposure control plan readily available for examination and copying, upon request?
- A. Only the employer's insurance carrier
- B. Each employee covered by the section, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director
- C. Only OSHA compliance officers
- D. Only the competent person
Show answer
Answer: B. Each employee covered by the section, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director
"The employer shall make the written exposure control plan readily available for examination and copying, upon request, to each employee covered by this section, their designated representatives, the Assistant Secretary and the Director."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Medical surveillance
19. Periodic medical examinations under 1926.1153(h)(3) include the procedures of the initial examination in paragraph (h)(2), with one exception. Which (h)(2) procedure is left out of the periodic examinations?
- A. A chest X-ray
- B. A pulmonary function test
- C. A physical examination with special emphasis on the respiratory system
- D. Testing for latent tuberculosis infection
Show answer
Answer: D. Testing for latent tuberculosis infection
Periodic examinations "include the procedures described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section (except paragraph (h)(2)(v))", and paragraph (h)(2)(v) is "Testing for latent tuberculosis infection". They are made available "at least every three years, or more frequently if recommended by the PLHCP."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Communication of hazards, training and records
20. Which hazards of respirable crystalline silica must the employer at least address in its hazard communication program?
- A. Noise, vibration, heat and cold
- B. Burns, cuts, falls and eye injuries
- C. Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects and kidney effects
- D. Fire, explosion, corrosion and reactivity
Show answer
Answer: C. Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects and kidney effects
The employer must ensure that "at least the following hazards are addressed: Cancer, lung effects, immune system effects, and kidney effects."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1926.1153, Respirable crystalline silica (as of Nov 3, 2026)