Confined Space Rule For Attic Access Hvac

Atmospheric temperature hazards.

Confined space rule for attic access hvac.

The confined space rules also need to apply. Passageways must have a solid floor no less than 24 wide. Communication is key to following the new confined space rule. Maybe it is the 140 degree heat or coming face to face with some animal or snake.

Confined spaces are inherently dangerous and osha s not unreasonable response is to require additional safety. Techs in the hvacr industry are no stranger to working in cramped spaces with varying job site conditions that can often be deemed hazardous. All hvac employees are provided cooling vests and a means to circulate air. The osha confined space standard 29 cfr 1910 146 is written for general industry and states that it is not applicable to construction.

But now that the ruling has come down folks working in attics and crawl spaces will. The purpose of the permit is to clearly communicate the conditions under which the space may be entered and who may enter. For confined spaces requiring a permit the hvac company generates their own permit not a government agency. There must be an attendant posted outside a permitted confined space any time a worker is in the space.

Osha s new confined spaces rule the who what july 29 2015 by sls 2 comments if you have been in construction for any length of time you are bound to have one story about working in an attic or crawl space. Osha has a page on confined spaces with links to other pages and pdf documents describing the new standard. If he tried to get out he couldn t crawl to a space that s just a hole in the ceiling from the other end of the attic. If you have anything to do with confined spaces you should spend some time there and make sure you understand the new rules.

Here are links to the two main pdfs. Confined spaces the occupational safety and health administration osha has not published regulations dealing specifically with confined spaces found in the construction industry. But osha is a force of nature. Slow and plodding sure.

Confined space has many things to consider however when changing the filter on large hvac units or other small maintenance items the concept of this being a c confined space for large hvac units on monthly filter change outs codes and standards general discussion eng tips. If an attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. Osha confined space rule. Crawl spaces and attics.

However attic spaces that are determined to be confined spaces should generally fall into the category of non permit confined spaces because they have either natural or mechanical ventilation which would prevent accumulation of hazardous atmosphere and because other hazards would not normally be present. The opening passageway must allow for unobstructed access. Although practicing safe habits and protocols on the job comes with the territory a recent occupational safety health administration osha ruling now includes attics and crawlspaces as confined spaces in many cases.