Rank: Forum user 
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Hi All
Does anyone know of any specific guidance relating to loft insulation? Safe systems of work etc.
Also would you class loftwork as a confined space? If so I presume working in a loft would require confined space training.
Cheers
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Rank: Super forum user
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David
you need to be a little clearer about what you need. Loft insulation comes in many forms, glass fibre rolls, lose fills and even asbestos containing material.
Also some lofts may be confined spaces others will not depends on access and what other risks are present.
Brian
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Rank: Forum user
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Brian
The work is mainly glass fibre insulation, non-asbestos work in domestic houses under general refurbishment
Regards
Dave
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Rank: Forum user
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I wouldn't class a domestic loft as a confined space. I had a quick look on HSE interweb and there doesn't seem to be anything specfic so it all comes back to WAH, Lone working, MHSW, COSHH and so on...
As Brian rightly said asbestos can become an issue too, especially when you condsider that domestic properties are not covered by Reg4 of CAR2006 (duty to manage). Just because the new insulation is glass fibre doesn't mean the guys might not come into contact with an ACM when they are up in the attic.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Glass fibre, rock wool.. May just be the asbestos of future generations? Wait and see?
Any fibres in the lungs don't sound good to me.
Wear disposable overalls and a dust mask and dispose of them safely.
Rat droppings, covered rafters (for the walking on or falling through the gaps), exposed (tops missing) of electrical joint boxes, tripping over electric cables, bumping ones head on protruding nails, splinters, water pipe work the just needs a little nudge to put an end to any possibility of a fire breaking out, bird droppings and of course we won't even mention the odd demented squirrel!...
Oh what a joy it is to be working in an attic space
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Rank: Forum user
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Hello chaps, there is an occupational limit for glass fibres in the air, and if i remeber its twice that of Asbestos so quite low
Gerry D, if the re-insulation of the loft is part of a refurb of the property and is carried out by contractors then it becomes a place of work and CAR reg 4 does apply
I have this issue at least 6 times a year !!!
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Rank: Forum user
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MMMF (Machine-made 5 mg.m-3 and - -
mineral fibre) (except for 2 fibres/millilitre
found the Oc Health limit, its in EH40
have a good weekend
JR
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Rank: Super forum user
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Im pretty sure there was a lengthy debate a while back on lofts and confind spaces. Maybe worth a search.
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Rank: Forum user
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Regarding the earlier mentioned list of potential hazards in loft spaces - don't forget wasps nests!!!!
Confined space?? - I am of the opinion that loft spaces can (and maybe should) be regarded as confined spaces when one considers the fact that heat exhaustion and poor ventilation and oxygen depletion are possibilities and also the question of how to provide emergeny rescue. Risk assessment should consider these factors based on HSE guidance regarding confined spaces and what can constitute a confined space. Some loft spaces have an access hatch just a bit bigger than a postage stamp !! or have complex layout of rafters, beams, low headroom, pipes, cables and partial walls etc. etc. - can you quickly evacuate an injured or unconcious casualty under those conditions?. A safe system of work should include emergency planning of course so the practicalities of actually providing this in a finacially practicable way certainly present a challenge.
A hundred and fifty quid loft job could cost a couple of grand in a trained emergency rescue team and equipment just in casde something went wrong up there !!!.
Many homeowners can get a generous grant for their insulation installation - no grants available though to the poor sod who has to install it - in compliance with a plethora of regulations.
Pointless asking HSE for specific advice - unless it how to sit on the fence correctly.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Risk assessment should consider these factors based on HSE guidance regarding confined spaces and what can constitute a confined space.'
Alan, the problem with this course of action is that loft spaces will vary quite considerably in size, location and hazards. I doubt if it is practical for a competent person to visit and complete a RA for every loft solely for insulation purposes. Therefore only a dynamic risk assessment is worthwhile by an experienced person. I would much rather rely on good training of personnel in loft hazards than rely on a confined space generic piece of paper.
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