Confined Space Rule For Attic Access Hvac

But now that the ruling has come down folks working in attics and crawl spaces will.

Confined space rule for attic access hvac.

Osha has a page on confined spaces with links to other pages and pdf documents describing the new standard. 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. Passageways must have a solid floor no less than 24 wide. Osha fact sheet on confined spaces in construction.

Techs in the hvacr industry are no stranger to working in cramped spaces with varying job site conditions that can often be deemed hazardous. The opening passageway must allow for unobstructed access. Crawl spaces and attics. Confined spaces the occupational safety and health administration osha has not published regulations dealing specifically with confined spaces found in the construction industry.

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. 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. The passage must not be smaller than 30 high x 22 wide and no longer than 20 unless it s at least 6 tall and then no more than 50. There is sure to be some eye rolling from the folks affected by this new clarification.

Communication is key to following the new confined space rule. If an attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. Atmospheric temperature hazards. Slow and plodding sure.

The purpose of the permit is to clearly communicate the conditions under which the space may be entered and who may enter. Osha confined space rule. But osha is a force of nature. All hvac employees are provided cooling vests and a means to circulate air.

Maybe it is the 140 degree heat or coming face to face with some animal or snake. If you have anything to do with confined spaces you should spend some time there and make sure you understand the new rules. 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. 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 osha confined space standard 29 cfr 1910 146 is written for general industry and states that it is not applicable to construction. 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.