What should I wear when removing insulation?

Author: Mrs. Emmalee Fadel  |  Last update: Monday, February 9, 2026

You must wear the following personal protective equipment:
  • Goggles: Keep eyes safe from loose particles.
  • Dust Mask or Respirator: Avoid inhaling fibers and dust.
  • Gloves: Protect hands from irritation and cuts.
  • Long-Sleeve Shirt and Pants: Prevent skin contact with insulation.

What to wear when removing insulation?

Wear pants and a long-sleeve shirt with a tight weave. Soft cotton may not help much, but even that will prevent most skin contact. Heavy cotton (denim) or synthetics may do better.

How do I prepare for insulation removal?

Prep Work. Remove all items or furniture from the space you'll work in. With a zippered plastic sheet, seal the room so that no fiberglass can get into other parts of your home.

Should you wear a mask when cutting insulation?

Wear masks — Airborne fiberglass particles can also be inhaled and irritate the lungs, leading to sneezing, coughing and wheezing. An effective and thick dust mask can help keep particles away from workers' nose and mouth while cutting fiberglass.

What to do if you get insulation on your skin?

  • Avoid Rubbing : Do not rub the affected area, as this can push the fibers deeper into the skin.
  • Use Tape : Gently press a piece of duct tape or packing tape onto the affected area and then pull it off.
  • Wash with Soap and Water : After using tape, wash the area with warm water and mild soap.

Recommended PPE During Insulation Work

What's the best way to remove fiberglass from your skin?

Removing Fiberglass from Your Skin

If you've come into contact with fiberglass shards or you have a rash and itchiness after you were exposed to fiberglass, don't rub or scratch the area. Immediately wash the exposed area with warm water and mild soap and wipe with a washcloth to remove the glass fibers from your skin.

How long does insulation itch last?

Fiberglass irritation typically lasts between 12 to 72 hours. Symptoms, such as itching, redness, or a rash, may persist until the fiberglass particles are completely removed. In more severe cases, or if particles are inhaled or swallowed, symptoms may last longer, requiring medical attention.

Do N95 masks protect against insulation?

Installers blowing insulation wear a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece dust respirator (N95 or greater). Other exposed workers, who are in the immediate area during application, wear a NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece dust respirator. Where possible, avoid tearing or ripping the product by hand.

What PPE is required for cutting insulation?

We recommend opting for lightweight protective work gloves. - Safety goggles – to protect your eyes from dust and any insulation fibres. Again, vital if cutting or laying loose loft floor insulation. Goggles provide greater protection than safety glasses as they offer sealed protection.

What body protection PPE should be worn when removing insulation?

This includes a dust mask or respirator to protect your lungs, safety glasses or goggles to protect your eyes, work gloves to protect your hand and clothing that covers every part of your body. At a minimum, you should wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and tall socks.

How long does insulation removal take?

How Long Does Attic Insulation Removal Take? For a 1,500-square-foot attic, professional removal of blown-in insulation without hazardous complications can take as little as 4 to 6 hours to complete.

Does vacuuming pick up fiberglass?

To clean fiberglass dust and debris from surfaces, use wet mops and cloths or a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Do not dry sweep or perform other activities that may stir up dust.

What does asbestos insulation look like?

Asbestos insulation comes in many forms and can look loose, lumpy, and fluffy like wool or hardened like corrugated cardboard or pebbly, and has a gray, gray-brown, or silvery gold color.

Should you wear gloves when handling insulation?

OSHA requires hand protection in cases where the skin is exposed to hazards. Not only can the mechanics of cutting insulation materials pose a potential danger, but the materials themselves may irritate the skin and cause dermatitis. Therefore, wearing gloves is crucial when handling insulation.

How to protect your skin from fiberglass?

You can take steps to reduce your exposure to fibers when working with materials that contain fiberglass: Wear loose fitting, long-sleeved clothing and gloves. This will reduce skin contact and irritation. Wear a mask over the nose and mouth to prevent breathing in the fibers.

What to wear to remove insulation?

You must wear the following personal protective equipment:
  • Goggles: Keep eyes safe from loose particles.
  • Dust Mask or Respirator: Avoid inhaling fibers and dust.
  • Gloves: Protect hands from irritation and cuts.
  • Long-Sleeve Shirt and Pants: Prevent skin contact with insulation.

What PPE is needed for insulation?

Long-sleeved shirts and long-legged pants, gloves, and head coverings are generally recommended to protect against skin irritation when working with fiberglass insulation. In some cases, eye protection and respiratory protection may also be necessary.

Should you wear a mask when cutting an insulation board?

Wear Protection

Cutting insulation boards with a table saw will throw up a lot of dust so you must be fully protected. Using safety goggles and a face mask will shield you from the fine dust thrown up by the table saw.

What PPE is needed for sanding fiberglass?

Skin, Eye, and Respiratory Protection

So it is important to have gloves along with goggles, a respirator, and ear covering.

What happens if you don t wear a mask with insulation?

If you do not like the sensation of dirt or dust on your skin, you will want to wear gloves and cover exposed skin. The dust of cellulose can still be hazardous for your eyes and lungs. If you are near cellulose being installed and do not wear a mask, you will inhale dust and irritate your lungs.

Is N95 enough for asbestos?

A: An N95 mask is a disposable filtering facepiece respirator with two straps. When worn properly (with the mask making a tight seal with the user's face), it can protect against hazardous airborne particles. N95 masks do not protect against gases, vapors and cannot be used for asbestos, and they do not provide oxygen.

How do I know if fiberglass is in my skin?

A fiberglass rash typically looks like a patch of small blisters with dry, flaky skin. On pale skin, the inflammation will be red. If long glass fibers get stuck in the skin, a person may see them protrude from the surface.

Is yellow or pink insulation better?

In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.

What are the symptoms of insulation sickness?

Insulation exposure can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation. Symptoms include itchiness, redness, coughing, and difficulty breathing. Prolonged exposure can lead to more severe health issues like lung disease or cancer.

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