Dressing for insulation

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bjp_ne_elec

Senior Member
Location
Southern NH
My most dreaded task, as far as performing electrical work, is having to spend time in an attic with the fiberglass insulation (actually that old "rock wool" is worse).

Be interested in hearing how people "suit up" for such a task. I definitely put on an N95 3M respirator - but I've got one guy that I know who works for another contractor - and he's face if beet red when he gets around the stuff. Not sure if he's up there rubbing his face, or what. What do you wrap yourself in, to protect your face. Be interested in seeing what creative ways folks on this forum have for those dreaded trips to the attic.

Thanks,

Brett
 
For really filthy situations we use a Tyvek suit, a respirator and gloves. One caution about respirators, there have been incidents of people having heart attacks when using them because they can restrict breathing. This is even more of a problem in the summer when the attic is hot and the air humid. Anyone using a respirator should make sure that they are physically fit before wearing one.


safetycentral_1928_7443307
 
I've used one of those suits on one particular job with a lot of attic work. All I can say is thank God it was Feburary and March. I would have died in July. I would walk outside for a smoke and the steam would pour out the neckhole. They just don't breathe.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
I've used one of those suits on one particular job with a lot of attic work. All I can say is thank God it was Feburary and March. I would have died in July. I would walk outside for a smoke and the steam would pour out the neckhole. They just don't breathe.
Click to expand...

Reminds me of Insulators that cut a slit in their respirator so they can smoke when they install insulation, Don't want any fiberglass in their lungs...:roll:
 
I'm lucky, in that insulation doesn't make me itchy. I just go up and do what I gotta do. Being a residential service electrician and being bothered by and/or scared of batt insulation doesn't exactly go together. It's even an interview question of mine. The blown cellulose bothers me more. It makes me sneezy, so I will wear a mask for that stuff.
 
I also use a 3M 95 respirator. Definetly worth the $45 to have a good latex respirator that expels the hot air and always long sleeve cotton t-shirts (w/ a fresh shirt in the truck). In dark attics (most all) I also slip a pen light inbetween the repirator straps and my head to see what I am doing . Doesnt seem to mess with the seal on my mask. As mentioned, anyone who wears a respirator should be cleared from a doctor.
 
Newer insulation doesnt bother me much, but the job I "suited up" for was a 95 yr old house, and it was NASTY up there. I would prefer to send the helper up, but I don't trust him that far yet. sigh.
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
Be interested in hearing how people "suit up" for such a task. I definitely put on an N95 3M respirator - but I've got one guy that I know who works for another contractor - and he's face if beet red when he gets around the stuff. Not sure if he's up there rubbing his face, or what. What do you wrap yourself in, to protect your face. Be interested in seeing what creative ways folks on this forum have for those dreaded trips to the attic.
Click to expand...

Denim. LOTS of denim.
 
An insulator on the job I am at now always puts baby powder on his arms and neck before he puts rock wool in. May or may not work, but he is the best smelling guy on the job.
 
infinity said:
One caution about respirators, there have been incidents of people having heart attacks when using them because they can restrict breathing.
Click to expand...
It's important to breath more deeply because you have to dilute the air captured in the volume of the mask.

mdshunk said:
I'm lucky, in that insulation doesn't make me itchy. I just go up and do what I gotta do. Being a residential service electrician and being bothered by and/or scared of batt insulation doesn't exactly go together.
Click to expand...
Same here. I got used to it years ago; barely an itch or redness. I do consiously breath through my nose, though; gotta let the filter hairs do their job.
 
I have a trick here, and on top of the "Real Way" to do this.
  • A good disposable mask with exhaling valve
  • Gloves
  • Coveralls (Disposable if you like, but GP ones will do.)
Heres the trick, or tricks since nobody mentioned the other one.
  • Spray water bottle, Dampen area of work, and any area to be disturbed with a fine mist. (Holds down airborn fibers)
  • Roll a plastic runner out to the work area. (Crawl across it, and work on it as much as you can.)
Then the rules...
  • Always work in the ealiest part of the day.
  • Always have everything you need.
  • Plan the job well before starting.
  • Get up - slam it out - get out.
  • Never touch an unprotected part of your body with contaminated hands or anything else! (Face, genitalia...)
  • Do not use as a pillow!
 
e57 said:
  • Never touch an unprotected part of your body with contaminated hands or anything else! (Face, genitalia...)
Click to expand...
That reminds me. A friend loved Church's, especially the Jalapino peppers.

One day, after lunch, he forgot to wash his hands before using the bathroom.


Needless to say, he never did that again. :rolleyes:
 
Awg-Dawg said:
An insulator on the job I am at now always puts baby powder on his arms and neck before he puts rock wool in. May or may not work, but he is the best smelling guy on the job.
Click to expand...

It does work.The powder enters the pores of your skin not allowing the fibers to get in.I use a tyvek suit and a dew rag on my head,cover all exposed skin with J & J baby powder and good to go.When done the suit goes in the trash.
 
Fiberglass insulation doesn't bother me all that much. I will wear a dust mask when it's bad.

And I don't know about everyone else, but I find the yellow insulation 10 times more itchy than the pink for whatever reason.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top