Staying Safe When Installing Insulation

Insulation installation is not considered the most hazardous of jobs. It does, however, come with its own set of risks. The following risks and recommended practices are not exhaustive, and common sense should be used when undertaking these kinds of jobs.

Wearing Adequate Personal Protective Equipment

Before you start working, make sure that you are using appropriate PPE. Safety glasses and dust masks are recommended, particularly when working with insulation above your head, for example installing ceiling insulation from underneath. Most insulation installers wear a long-sleeved shirt and gloves when handling insulation, to prevent the millions of tiny fibres making contact with and irritating their skin. Some claim that having a cold shower at the end of the day is the best way of removing the fibres that have attached themselves to their skin.

Safety Considerations up in the Roof Space

The long sharp bladed knife serves to cut the insulation to fit where needed and while timber joists serve as a good cutting board, experienced installers know not to get into contact with wires. In fact, the roof space has several safely hazards, such as sharp protruding objects, so a head torch or light will often come in handy. It’s also common practice to push back a couple of roof tiles while the installer is working. In addition to providing some light, it also helps to ventilate the roof cavity and create some air flow. Clearance should be cut around any downlights or a cap placed over the light, preventing direct contact between the warm downlight and the insulation itself and reducing the risk of fire.

Working From Heights is a High Risk Activity

According to Work Safe New Zealand more injuries happen on residential building sites than any other workplace in the construction industry. Analysis shows that more than fifty percent of falls occur from less than three metres and that around seventy percent of falls are from ladders and roofs. This has significant implications for insulation installation because while the best way to reduce the risk of falling from heights is to remove the need to work from heights, this is often not practicable when installing insulation. Safe practice and common sense should be observed when working with ladders including the three points of contact model.

Risks Associated with Underfloor Insulation Installation

Installing underfloor insulation comes with its own unique risks. The area under the house may be littered with building material scraps left there from the time of construction. Broken pieces of pipe, nails, glass and other sharp objects are commonly found underneath homes. The space underneath the house is also limited and installers often find themselves crawling on their back to insert the insulation segments up between the timber joists. Take your time and move slowly to avoid injury. Make sure the area you are working in has adequate lighting, by using a head torch, for example.

Case Study: Installing Bradford Underfloor Insulation

James is going to fit his old house with a raised timber floor with Bradford underfloor insulation. He wants a product that will deliver high thermal benefits and create a quieter home, so he decides to go for Optimo insulation and save some money by installing it himself. The area under the house is quite low and he has never been under there before. What kind of safety measures should he put in place? Have a think before you read the review below.

Bradford Optimo Underfloor Insulation Review

Installing floor insulation is a great choice and James will almost certainly notice a difference in the noise level and a more comfortable floor temperature. He will have to take extra care, however, as the space he is entering will be dark and could be littered with all kinds of things from the time the house was built. Some of the safety precautions he should consider are:

·       Lighting up the area he is working in. A head torch would probably suffice.

·       Wearing safety glasses and a mask, as he will probably be lying on his back, installing insulation above his head.

·       Wearing gloves, as he may come into contact with sharp objects while working.

Taking his time when moving around.