Silica Competent Person Training – General Industry & Construction

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Date/Time

Date(s) - August 25, 2026
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Location

Mid-America Safety & Environmental, LLC
2259 N Burton Avenue
Springfield, MO 65803

Course Overview

Respirable crystalline silica exposure is a serious health hazard in both general industry and construction, with significant enforcement focus under OSHA’s silica standards (29 CFR 1910.1053 and 29 CFR 1926.1153). Employers are required to designate a “competent person” who can identify existing and foreseeable silica hazards, implement effective controls, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

This 2-hour Silica Competent Person Training course from Mid-America Safety & Environmental provides safety leaders, supervisors, and designated competent persons with practical, OSHA-aligned guidance on recognizing, evaluating, and controlling respirable crystalline silica exposures. Participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed to oversee silica-related work activities, verify protective measures, and communicate requirements to affected employees — helping to reduce the risk of silicosis and other silica-related diseases while improving regulatory compliance.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for individuals who have or will have responsibility for managing or overseeing work activities where respirable crystalline silica may be present, including:

  • Supervisors and foremen in construction and general industry
  • Designated silica competent persons
  • Safety managers, coordinators, and EHS professionals
  • Project managers and site managers
  • Maintenance leaders and production leads in manufacturing, fabrication, or processing operations
  • Anyone responsible for implementing or verifying compliance with OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standards

Key Topics Covered

Content is aligned with OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica standards for general industry (29 CFR 1910.1053) and construction (29 CFR 1926.1153), and focuses on the specific knowledge and duties of the competent person:

Regulatory Framework & Health Hazards

  • Overview of respirable crystalline silica and affected tasks/industries
  • Health effects, including silicosis, lung cancer, COPD, and kidney disease
  • OSHA regulatory requirements and key definitions: action level, PEL, and exposure assessment

Exposure Assessment & Monitoring

  • Identifying silica-generating tasks and operations
  • Initial and periodic exposure assessments
  • Objective data vs. air monitoring and interpreting sampling results

Control Methods & Work Practices

  • Engineering controls: local exhaust ventilation, water/dust suppression, process isolation
  • Administrative controls: scheduling, rotation, and work planning
  • Written exposure control plan requirements
  • Construction Table 1 control options (29 CFR 1926.1153)

Respiratory Protection & PPE

  • When respiratory protection is required
  • Selection, use, and limitations of respirators
  • Integration with a written respiratory protection program (29 CFR 1910.134)

Housekeeping & Ancillary Requirements

  • Prohibited dry sweeping/dry brushing methods
  • Use of HEPA vacuums and wet methods
  • Regulated areas and restricted access where applicable

Medical Surveillance & Recordkeeping

  • Medical surveillance triggers and requirements
  • Employee information and training obligations
  • Documentation, exposure records, and retention

Competent Person Role & Responsibilities

  • OSHA’s expectations for a competent person
  • Authority to identify hazards and take prompt corrective action
  • Conducting and documenting inspections
  • Communicating requirements and coaching crews on safe work practices

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica and the purpose of OSHA’s silica standards in general industry and construction.
  2. Identify common tasks and operations that generate respirable crystalline silica and recognize conditions that increase exposure risk.
  3. Interpret basic exposure assessment information and determine appropriate control measures.
  4. Describe required elements of a written silica exposure control plan and the competent person’s role in implementing and maintaining it.
  5. Select and verify appropriate engineering controls, work practices, and respiratory protection for silica-generating tasks, including construction Table 1 activities.
  6. Apply OSHA housekeeping, medical surveillance, training, and recordkeeping requirements.
  7. Perform the core duties of a silica competent person, including hazard identification, site inspections, corrective actions, and employee communication.

Competent Person Capabilities Upon Completion

After successfully completing this training, participants will be prepared to:

  • Identify and evaluate silica hazards at the job site or facility, including recognizing tasks that may exceed the action level or PEL
  • Develop, review, or support implementation of a silica exposure control plan tailored to specific operations
  • Verify implementation of engineering and administrative controls and confirm appropriate respiratory protection and PPE are provided and used correctly
  • Conduct regular inspections of silica-generating activities, promptly address unsafe conditions, and document corrective actions
  • Coordinate exposure assessments and respond to monitoring results by adjusting controls as needed
  • Provide task-specific guidance to workers regarding safe work practices, housekeeping, and proper use of controls and respirators
  • Communicate with management, safety staff, and employees to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement

Prerequisites & Requirements

  • Experience: Prior exposure to construction, manufacturing, maintenance, or related operations where silica may be present; supervisory or safety responsibilities strongly recommended
  • Foundational Knowledge: Basic understanding of workplace safety principles and OSHA regulations
  • Language: Ability to read, speak, and understand English sufficiently to participate and apply concepts on the job
  • Employer Designation: Completion of this course supports an employer’s designation of a silica competent person; final designation must be conferred by the employer based on experience, knowledge, and organizational responsibilities

Participants are encouraged to bring any site-specific procedures, exposure data, or current silica plans to help apply course concepts to their actual work environments.

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