Silica is in many everyday building materials: tile, concrete, granite countertops, drywall compound, masonry bricks, pavers, etc. It is a very durable material and contributes to the stability of fiber cement.

In 2016, OSHA updated its rules for controlling exposure to respirable silica dust. James Hardie is here to help you work safely and efficiently with this standard.

Although this standard primarily affects installers and contractors, any building professional can rely on this site as a resource for accurate information about the OSHA silica dust standard.

James Hardie has always promoted best practices and provided solutions to help you meet OSHA standards – and we’ll continue to do so as part of our commitment to you.

OSHA sets exposure limits for dust, chemicals and other materials that employees may be exposed to at work or on a jobsite. These exposure limits cover dust from all types of materials, including: stone, brick, concrete, drywall, wood, and wood composites.

OSHA requires employers to take specific actions to protect workers on construction sites based on the amount of silica dust they are exposed to. The OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica dust is 50 μg/m3 as a time weighted average over an 8-hour period.

Respirable crystalline silica exposure is measured using an air sampling device that is placed in the work area or worn by an employee. An industrial hygienist (IH)** will generally oversee the sample collection. The samples are collected and sent to a qualified lab for analysis and the IH will review the results and make recommendations.

* The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published several reports related to controlling silica dust on jobsites, including concrete grinding, tuck-pointing and fiber cement. Learn more >

** Industrial Hygienists are degreed scientists or engineers trained to evaluate workplace health and safety issues. While there is no licensing program, the Board for Global EHS Credentialing administers a certification program; Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) must be degreed, have least four years of experience and pass a 1-day exam. Learn more >

This OSHA standard affects all activities that generate silica dust on a jobsite. Trades that use stone, concrete and other materials that are difficult to replace must also comply with the standard, as the change affects work practices that use these materials.

OSHA has complied a list of work practices that, if fully and properly implemented, are deemed to be compliant with the PEL. This list of work practices is known as "Table 1".

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</sup> OSHA Final Silica Rule 2016-04800
² OSHA Standard §1926.1153, p 3

When using Hardie® products, working with the OSHA silica dust standard is straightforward and can be as easy as making a plan, using the right tools and training your employees. We’re ready to help you with all three.

Make a Plan

We can get you in touch with safety consultants and provide other resources to help you prepare your organization for compliance with written safety plans, communication and training requirements of the new OSHA silica standard.

Use the Right Tools

There’s no need to use respirators or tents when cutting fiber cement products. OSHA states that using readily available tools can eliminate the need to use respirators, and reduce or eliminate other requirements.

Train your Employees

Make sure your employees know how to implement and follow your exposure control plan. James Hardie can provide on-site training for setting up your cutting station, in addition to helpful how-to videos and a downloadable cutting guide.

Safety Isn't Just A Work Thing. It's An Every Thing.^TM

There are three options for employers to demonstrate compliance with the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica. While all options require some education, Option 2 and Option 3 require additional documentation or proof sources and recordkeeping on the employer’s part.

Table 1 (view or download below), identifies 18 common construction tasks that generate respirable silica dust. For each task, Table 1 specifies tools, practices and respiratory protection that OSHA has deemed will keep exposures below the PEL when they are fully and properly implemented.

Employers using the tools and practices ("engineering controls") listed in Table 1 are not required to conduct exposure assessments for silica exposure.

OSHA provides a specific Table 1 engineering control for cutting fiber cement with a handheld circular saw.

Download OSHA Table 1 Overview for fiber cement PDF >

Download OSHA Table 1 Engineering control PDF >

Option 2, the "performance option" applies when employees are not using engineering controls listed in Table 1. Examples of engineering controls not listed in Table 1 include using miter saws or panel saws to cut the fiber cement, or using fans to disperse fiber cement dust.

Under the performance option, employers may rely on a combination of objective data and air monitoring data to show that employee exposure is below the PEL.

The combination of objective data and air monitoring data must reflect workplace conditions that closely resemble the employer's operation on their jobsite, or represent a "worst case" production of silica dust.

Read OSHA's Silica FAQs >

If a control method is not listed on Table 1 and no objective data is available for the performance option, OSHA requires employers to assess exposure for each employee who may be exposed at or above the Action Level (AL). An exposure assessment is not required if the employer has made a reasonable determination that exposures will remain below the AL under all foreseeable circumstances. Depending upon the results of the sampling, the standard may require additional sampling at set periods of time.

Employers do not need to monitor at each jobsite provided that the task and the workplace conditions in the new work area are substantially similar.

James Hardie can assist you with identifying a certified satefy professional or industrial hygienist who can conduct exposure monitoring.

Read OSHA's SIlica FAQs >

Watch our video to see how you can easily work with Hardie® products and the OSHA silica rule change. Providing Safety Support to Builders and Contractors With OSHA Silica Standard Rule Change >

There are many cost-effective circular saw and vacuum options that meet Table 1 requirements for cutting fiber cement. Even if you do invest in higher-end tools, the total cost per job is low. Using a cost per square foot metric, it’s less than a penny per square foot. Plus, you could potentially cut costs by using a vacuum to extend the life of your tools and reduce cleanup and housekeeping time.

OSHA and CPWR identify several combinations of tools for ease of use, durability and value, whether you follow Table 1 or choose the performance option, to be used in conjunction with our exposure monitoring report summaries to help you comply.

Setting up your cutting station correctly is just as important as selecting the right tools. James Hardie has collaborated with a number of installers to identify easy setups that are effective, affordable and will help you meet OSHA’s compliance standards. Should you have any questions, we’re prepared to assist crews on-site.

Watch the video >

You can also find full instructions and best practices by downloading the Cutting Station Setup Guide >

Yes. There is no dust concern from fiber cement once it's installed on the home.

OSHA will measure the level of exposure to respirable silica dust over an 8-hour period to determine if a jobsite is at or below the PEL of 50 μg/m³.

Silica exposure is determined one of two ways:

By referencing objective data, which means studies or reports by recognized experts who have evaluated dust exposures for certain tasks*

By directly monitoring actual employee exposure

Actual exposure is measured using an air sampling device that is placed in the work area or worn by an employee. An industrial hygienist (IH)** will generally oversee the sample collection. The samples are collected and sent to a qualified lab for analysis and the IH will review the results and make recommendations.

Note: Only a small fraction (typically less than 5%) of the total dust produced when cutting fiber cement is considered to be respirable silica dust.

How are fiber cement products safe if silica dust is released when cutting them? Is there any danger to install crews?
Cutting our fiber cement products is safe when using our guidelines, which are designed to reduce the amount of dust produced. There are a number of variables that influence how much dust a worker is exposed to on a construction site. We are here to make it as easy as possible to enable install crews to cut our fiber cement products properly and safely.

How do I become OSHA compliant so I don’t get cited for a violation on the jobsite?
James Hardie has resources and solutions to help its customers achieve compliance. You can find information about the proper way to cut our fiber cement products here or by calling James Hardie Technical Services at 800-942-7343.

Who will train my crew on the new practice?
James Hardie can provide resources to help train your crews. Just call James Hardie Technical Services at 800-942-7343 to schedule a consultation with our technical services team.

Do crews have to wear a hazmat suit to install Hardie® products? Do they need to tent the house or cutting station?
No, crews do not need to make any changes to what they wear or tent any areas of the work site. These are misconceptions that may be perpetuated by companies looking to portray compliance requirements as difficult or expensive.

The answer will depend on multiple factors driven by the jobsite environment, as well as how you currently cut our fiber cement products. The tools that are used to safely cut our siding – HardieBlade® saw blades, dust-collecting saws and standard shop vacuums – can be used to help meet the new standard.

There are many cost-effective options for tools (saws, vacuums, etc.) that meet Table 1 requirements for fiber cement. Even if you do invest in higher-end tools, the total cost per job is low. Using a cost per square foot metric, it’s less than a penny per square foot – 0.54¢ on the high end and 0.06¢ on the low end. Plus, you could potentially cut costs by using a vacuum to extend the life of your tools and reduce cleanup/housekeeping time.

James Hardie has collaborated with a number of installers to identify solutions that are effective, affordable and easy to set up. Should you have any questions, we’re prepared to assist crews on-site.

It depends on how your install crews are currently cutting our fiber cement products. We have a number of existing solutions designed to help ensure that you can comply with the new standard in the most cost-efficient way.

Every type of siding, regardless of whether it’s wood, wood composite siding, brick, stone or fiber cement, produces dust when it’s cut and is subject to a standard. James Hardie leads all siding manufacturers in providing resources in the field that help enable our customers to comply with the standard.

No. There’s nothing in the handling/stocking process that would cause an issue.

Yes. Moving or storing fiber cement does not generate significant dust from the product.

No, there’s no need. This is a regulation affecting installation practices, not products.

No. Our fiber cement products are still the same safe, dependable and widely available siding that you’ve been recommending for years.

OSHA Silica FAQ >
OSHA Construction Guide >
OSHA Fact Sheet >
NAHB Construction Toolkit >
Amerisafe >
CPWR >