CONTROL OF SILICA DUST IN CONSTRUCTION 

Heavy Equipment and Utility Vehicles 

Used During Demolition Activities

Using heavy equipment and utility vehicles for tasks such as demolishing, abrading, 

or fracturing silica-containing materials such as brick, block, and concrete can 

generate respirable crystalline silica dust. When inhaled, the small particles of silica 

can irreversibly damage the lungs. This fact sheet describes dust controls that can 

be used to minimize the amount of airborne dust when using heavy equipment or 

utility vehicles during demolition activities as listed in Table 1 of the Respirable 

Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1153. A separate fact 

sheet addresses heavy equipment use for earthmoving tasks such as grading and 

excavating activities.

Engineering Control Methods: Enclosed cab AND water sprays and/or dust suppressants if other 

workers are present

The use of an enclosed cab when operating 

heavy equipment and utility vehicles during 

demolition activities, or when fracturing and 

abrading silica-containing materials, can reduce 

operator exposures to silica dust. If other 

workers are present in the area, water and/or 

dust suppressants must be applied as necessary 

to minimize visible dust.

Photo courtesy of CPWR

Excavator equipped with an enclosed cab and hoe-ram demolishing 

a concrete wall. 

Operator Isolation

Operators using heavy equipment and utility 

vehicles must stay inside an enclosed cab with 

the doors and windows closed while work is in 

progress. The cab must:

• Be well-sealed and well-ventilated, using

positive pressure.

• Have door jambs, window grooves, power line

entries and other joints that work properly and

are tightly sealed.

• Have heating and air conditioning so that

operators can keep windows and doors closed.

• Use an intake air filter with a minimum

MERV-16 rating (at least 95 percent efficient in

the 0.3–10.0 μm range).

• Be kept free from settled dust by regular

cleaning and maintenance to prevent dust from

become airborne inside the enclosure. 

Modern heavy equipment typically comes 

equipped with enclosed, filtered cabs that 

meet the requirements of the silica standard 

in Table 1. Retrofit equipment is available for 

older equipment.

FactSheet
Wet Methods

Wet methods for heavy equipment and utility 

vehicle operators include the use of any method 

of wet application that will suppress silica dust 

emissions and be compatible to the task. These 

include using:

• Tank trucks equipped with hoses and nozzles 

that spray water or other dust suppressants 

over large areas to wet the materials disturbed 

during tasks, including haul roads and job 

sites in general.

• A worker who assists the operator by applying 

water or other types of dust suppressants 

to materials being demolished, abraded, or 

fractured.

• Large atomized misting devices.

• Spray equipment attached directly to the 

vehicle.

• Timing the application of the water or other 

dust suppressants to ensure that the materials 

are still damp when they are disturbed.

Water must be applied at flow rates sufficient to 

minimize the release of visible dust. Too much 

water can create mud slurry that can cause 

hazards. Too little water will not effectively 

control dust emissions.

Photo courtesy of BossTek

Atomized misting canons, like the DustBoss unit pictured, are an 

effective way to suppress silica dust. 

Respiratory Protection

When properly used, an enclosed cab and wet 

methods can effectively reduce exposure to 

silica dust. Therefore, the silica standard for 

construction does not require use of respiratory 

protection when employers comply fully with 

Table 1 of the standard.

Additional Information

For more information, visit www.osha.gov/silica

and see the OSHA Fact Sheet on the Crystalline 

Silica Rule for Construction, and the Small Entity 

Compliance Guide for the Respirable Crystalline 

Silica Standard for Construction.

OSHA can provide compliance assistance 

through a variety of programs, including 

technical assistance about effective safety and 

health programs, workplace consultations, 

and training and education. OSHA’s On-Site 

Consultation Program offers free, confidential 

occupational safety and health services 

to small and medium-sized businesses in 

all states and several territories across the 

country, with priority given to high-hazard 

worksites. On-Site consultation services are 

separate from enforcement and do not result 

in penalties or citations. To locate the OSHA 

On-Site Consultation Program nearest you, 

visit www.osha.gov/consultation.

How to Contact OSHA

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 

of 1970, employers are responsible for providing 

safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. 

OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for 

America’s working men and women by setting 

and enforcing standards, and providing training, 

education and assistance. For more information, 

visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

DSG FS-3936 12/2017

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.