Contractor Silica Safety Toolbox Talk

Construction projects often involve multiple contractors performing work at the same time. Activities such as concrete cutting, grinding, drilling, coring, demolition, and masonry work can generate respirable crystalline silica that may expose not only the workers performing the task but also nearby crews. Effective coordination between contractors is essential to ensure silica hazards are identified, exposure controls are implemented, and all workers are protected from unnecessary exposure.

This toolbox talk reviews the importance of contractor coordination, communication, and shared responsibility for controlling silica dust on multi-employer jobsites.

Why This Matters

• Silica dust can travel beyond the immediate work area and expose nearby workers.
• Respirable crystalline silica can cause silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease.
• Coordinating work activities helps reduce unnecessary exposure for all trades.
• Clear communication improves planning, scheduling, and hazard awareness.
• Every employer is responsible for protecting its workers and cooperating to maintain a safe jobsite.

Common Silica Hazards on Multi-Employer Jobsites

• Concrete cutting, grinding, drilling, or coring near other work crews.
• Demolition activities generating airborne silica dust.
• Failure to establish controlled access zones around silica-generating work.
• Dust migrating into adjacent work areas because of wind or ventilation.
• Inadequate communication between contractors regarding planned silica-generating activities.
• Failure or improper use of engineering controls such as water suppression or dust collection systems.
• Improper housekeeping methods that reintroduce silica dust into the air.
• Unauthorized workers entering silica exposure areas.

Safety Checklist

Before Work Begins

• Coordinate silica-generating activities with the general contractor and affected trades.
• Review the silica exposure control procedures for planned work.
• Identify work areas where airborne silica may affect other workers.
• Establish controlled access zones and post warning signs where appropriate.
• Inspect engineering controls such as water delivery systems and local exhaust ventilation.
• Verify required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protection when required by the exposure assessment and company procedures, is available and properly used.

During the Workday

• Use engineering controls continuously during silica-generating tasks.
• Keep unauthorized personnel out of controlled access zones.
• Communicate changes in work activities that could affect nearby crews.
• Use approved housekeeping methods such as HEPA-filtered vacuuming or wet cleaning.
• Monitor dust conditions and stop work if controls become ineffective.
• Report damaged dust control equipment or unsafe conditions immediately.

Crew Talking Points

• Which contractors are performing silica-generating work today?
• How will nearby workers be protected from airborne silica dust?
• Where are today's controlled access zones located?
• What engineering controls are being used for each silica-generating task?
• Who should be notified if work activities change or dust controls fail?
• Speak up immediately if you observe uncontrolled silica dust or workers entering restricted areas without protection.

Stop Work If

• Required engineering controls are missing, damaged, or not functioning properly.
• Airborne silica dust cannot be effectively controlled.
• Controlled access zones are missing or unauthorized workers are exposed.
• Required respiratory protection or other PPE is unavailable when needed.
• Contractor activities create uncontrolled silica exposure for nearby workers.
• You are unsure how to safely perform or coordinate silica-generating work.

Final Reminder

Silica safety is a shared responsibility on multi-employer jobsites. Coordinate work with other contractors, communicate planned silica-generating activities, maintain effective engineering controls, restrict access to exposure areas, and follow approved housekeeping and respiratory protection procedures. Working together helps protect everyone from the long-term health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica.