Osha Attic Confined Space

Osha fact sheet on confined spaces in construction.

Osha attic confined space.

The confined spaces in general industry standards 29 cfr 1910 146 address attics in this osha letter of interpretation stating that if the attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. If an attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. This fact sheet developed after consultation with the national association of home builders nahb and a detailed frequently asked questions faqs document clarify some of the standard s provisions and their application to residential construction work. 2 contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant.

3 has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated. But 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 that would prevent accumulation of hazardous atmosphere and. A final inspection of an attic would rarely constitute an entry because even if an attic were a confined space it would not normally contain any of the hazards or potential hazards that would trigger the permit required confined space requirements of the standard. 1 contains or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere.

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. Confined spaces in residential construction. According to a publication by osha and the national association of home builders nahb attics determined to be confined spaces would generally not be permit required confined spaces because they typically do not contain the types of hazards or potential hazards that make a confined space a permit required confined space those that could impair an entrant s ability to exit the space without assistance.