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.

Osha attic confined space. 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. 2 contains a material that has the potential for engulfing an entrant. If an attic space in your building fits the definition of a confined space then attics are confined spaces. Osha has developed a standard for confined spaces in construction 29 cfr 1926 subpart aa that applies to spaces such as attics basements and crawl spaces.

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. They haven t set the date and time yet so if you re not already on the bpi mailing list you might want to sign up. Crawl spaces and attics pdf standard 29 cfr 1926 subpart aa confined spaces in construction pdf also bpi is going to host a webinar on this topic soon. Osha fact sheet on confined spaces in construction.

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. 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. 3 has an internal configuration such that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated.