Confined Space Rule For Attic Access Hvac

Osha fact sheet on confined spaces in construction.

Confined space rule for attic access hvac.

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. Techs in the hvacr industry are no stranger to working in cramped spaces with varying job site conditions that can often be deemed hazardous. 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.

Communication is key to following the new confined space rule. There is sure to be some eye rolling from the folks affected by this new clarification. The confined space rules also need to apply. Maybe it is the 140 degree heat or coming face to face with some animal or snake.

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. Crawl spaces and attics. Slow and plodding sure. Passageways must have a solid floor no less than 24 wide.

The opening passageway must allow for unobstructed access. For confined spaces requiring a permit the hvac company generates their own permit not a government agency. All hvac employees are provided cooling vests and a means to circulate air. Confined spaces are inherently dangerous and osha s not unreasonable response is to require additional safety.

If you have anything to do with confined spaces you should spend some time there and make sure you understand the new rules. 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. But osha is a force of nature. 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.

Confined spaces the occupational safety and health administration osha has not published regulations dealing specifically with confined spaces found in the construction industry. The purpose of the permit is to clearly communicate the conditions under which the space may be entered and who may enter. If an attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. But now that the ruling has come down folks working in attics and crawl spaces will.

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. Osha confined space rule. Here are links to the two main pdfs.