Silica Exposure — Common Tasks

Talking points

1. Concrete sawing (walk-behind or handheld): use a saw with integrated water delivery to the blade. If water is not feasible, use a HEPA vacuum shroud and an APF-10 respirator.
2. Jackhammering or chipping concrete: use a water spray to keep the point of impact wet. When outdoors, this may be sufficient — indoors, add respiratory protection.
3. Grinding or tuckpointing: use a grinder equipped with a dust shroud connected to a HEPA vacuum. This is one of the highest silica exposures in construction.
4. Sweeping dry concrete or masonry dust with a broom creates significant airborne silica. Use a HEPA vacuum or wet sweeping methods instead.
5. Housekeeping matters — silica dust that settles can become airborne again from foot traffic, wind, or equipment movement. Clean up as you go.

Ask the crew

Are all of our saws and grinders equipped with the right dust controls today — and is the water supply connected?

Standards this talk is built on

• 29 CFR 1926.1153 Table 1

A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.

Sign-in sheet

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