Working In Hot Attics

Be sure that the access door is well fitted and doesn t let air escape around the edges.

Working in hot attics. Cool air in hot air out attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Think about how often dew forms on your grass. Air circulation alone will not keep you safe. Install electric ventilators and attic fans which remove hot air from an attic.

Attics crawlspaces have been covered by osha for 20 years. Evaluate every worksite prior to doing any work. Working in a hot attic can lead to heat exhaustion dehydration and heat stroke if you do not take the necessary precautions to remain cool. We all have a duty to protect ourselves and our employees.

Drink plenty of water and use an osha approved particulate respirator or double strap dust mask to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under. Also remember to watch your step. Recently we restarted our air sealing insulation articles again and in the most recent article on hot roofs we mentioned that now is a good time to work in your attic at least if you live in the south.

Deal with it if you can t. During hot weather start working early as attics heat up as the day moves on. Eliminate the hazard if you can. The fall protection methods in this fact sheet may not be suitable in all situations.

In warmer climates you don t need to worry about condensation. Take precautions to avoid a dangerous working environment in the attic. Protecting workers from falls while working in attics can be challenging for some employers. The recent osha action clarifies the standard.

They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100 110 degrees. Hang an outdoor thermometer in your attic making sure its range reaches at least 130 degrees fahrenheit. Attic fans push out the hot air and pull in the cool air from the vents installed on your roof. Hang pencil and paper next to the thermometer and record the outdoor and attic temperatures.

To ensure that the attic fan is working properly you need to make sure that your attic is sealed up tight where it touches the ceiling of the top floor. One of the main reasons for this is how hot an attic can get not only during the summer months but also throughout the year.