Fiberglass insulation blues - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Kevin J · 07-27-2009, 05:13 PM

I guess this applies to any who are around it, be it in a home or piece of equipment, but what are some useful tips on how to prevent irritation, or how to get it off of you? I have been doing a ton of remodel and addition work here lately, and it seems I can't stay out of the stuff. Today, I was in a basement that was being finished, and insulation was already in the ceiling for a sound barrier. GC said he didn't mind if I took any down, but wanted it put back up after I was finished. I took down as little as possible, but still between pulling wire, putting up recess, and cutting them in, I got covered up! Any tips? I have tried a lot but none seem to work.

**MDShunk** · 07-27-2009, 05:17 PM

I suppose I'm pretty lucky, in that it does not bother me except when I'm especially sweaty.

It seems like the time-proven method is to rub your arms, face, etc down with baby powder. The baby powders fills in your pours and doesn't leave any places for the fiberglass to stick on you.

A nice warm shower when you get home will usually clear any that's sticking around on you.

I might add, that if you can't figure out a way to overcome fiberglass irritation, you might have picked the wrong niche of this trade.

Kevin J · 07-27-2009, 05:20 PM

Someone told me about the baby powder thing, I just thought they were pulling my leg. Guess I'll have to try it.

**480sparky** · 07-27-2009, 05:20 PM

I'm blessed. It never has bothered me, so I can't speak from experience.

But I've heard that if you take the hottest shower you can stand, it will cause your pores to open and release the fibers.

The best prevention methed (so I've heard) is to cover your bare skin with baby powder.

Again, I cannot speak from experience on either method.

s.kelly · 07-27-2009, 05:21 PM

Agreed with MD completely. Also would add that lightweight longsleeve shirt tucked in will help. The outdoor clothing companies sell some very lightweight long sleeve shirts.

**MDShunk** · 07-27-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin J

Someone told me about the baby powder thing, I just thought they were pulling my leg. Guess I'll have to try it.

Yeah, and you'll smell fresh as a baby's bottom too!

I suppose something like Gold Bond or similar would work too if you didn't want to smell like a baby.

user4818 · 07-27-2009, 05:27 PM

Tyvek suit, perhaps?

Mr. Sparkle · 07-27-2009, 05:57 PM

I am blessed as well. there are very few kinds that irritate me. I also have heard of the baby powder method.

MechanicalDVR · 07-27-2009, 06:01 PM

I find the cheapest store brand powders work best, I have no idea why. I agree with MD and would add that I use duct tape reversed rolled around the hand to act as a lint roller to remove the annoying fibers that work in around the elbows and back of the forearms.

B4T · 07-27-2009, 06:06 PM

wear a face mask and safety glasses to keep the fibers out of your eyes and lungs.

Wearing a long sleeve shirt and wrap a towel damp towel around your neck in the summer also helps.

wildleg · 07-27-2009, 06:30 PM

those tyvek jump suits work well, and aren't expensive, and are throw away. don't take a warm shower though - take a cold shower first and wash off as much as possible, then warm if you want. just be glad you are working around fibreglass and not rock wool.

rotagilla · 07-27-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter D

Tyvek suit, perhaps?

That's what I use with the baby powder, safety glasses, and a dust mask when I'm in the attic crawlin' through that crap.

http://www.gemplers.com/disposable-coveralls

JohnJ0906 · 07-28-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter D

Tyvek suit, perhaps?

I used one of those when rewiring a 100 year old historic house. Thank God it was winter, because that suit was extremely hot.
I couldn't imagine wearing one of those during the summer.

brian john · 07-28-2009, 08:04 PM

STORY TiMe:

35 years ago I had this helper, I knew he would not last, dumb as a rock, lazy and habitually late.

We were doing some miscellaneous residential work. He came to me and said he needed to drop a deuce, I explained my policy was not to utilize the customer's bathroom and take the van to the Exxon down the street.

Now I had been working in the basement and he was stapling NM in the 110 degree attic. 5 minutes later I see him, I say "Man that was quick." He says " OH I dumped in the attic," I almost died and wanted to kill him. I asked what did you wipe with? his response "oh that pink junk in the attic."

I made him clean it up and continue to work in the attic with his extreme case of rotten ass, Though he was crying to go back to the shop so he could go home to clean up. He was fired that afternoon.

NolaTigaBait · 07-28-2009, 08:05 PM

Jeez, what a freaking moron.

**MDShunk** · 07-28-2009, 08:10 PM

I found a squatter sleeping in the basement of one of my rentals one time on some extra insulation. Not the paper side... the nice fluffy pink side.

Kevin J · 07-28-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

STORY TiMe:

35 years ago I had this helper, I knew he would not last, dumb as a rock, lazy and habitually late.

We were doing some miscellaneous residential work. He came to me and said he needed to drop a deuce, I explained my policy was not to utilize the customer's bathroom and take the van to the Exxon down the street.

Now I had been working in the basement and he was stapling NM in the 110 degree attic. 5 minutes later I see him, I say "Man that was quick." He says " OH I dumped in the attic," I almost died and wanted to kill him. I asked what did you wipe with? his response "oh that pink junk in the attic."

I made him clean it up and continue to work in the attic with his extreme case of rotten ass, Though he was crying to go back to the shop so he could go home to clean up. He was fired that afternoon.

I don't care who you are, that's funny!!!

wildleg · 07-29-2009, 07:43 AM

holy crap, batman ! lmao

te12co2w · 07-29-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildleg

those tyvek jump suits work well, and aren't expensive, and are throw away. don't take a warm shower though - take a cold shower first and wash off as much as possible, then warm if you want. just be glad you are working around fibreglass and not rock wool.

That's what I've always done, sometimes that cold shower is too uncomfortable though. Rock wool is definitely the pits.

Safety-Guy · 07-29-2009, 11:40 AM

As with others I can roll around it the pink stuff all day with no issues. Now the blown in recycled newspaper stuff they use here in Florida makes for a rough day on me, Must be the chemicals used for flame ******ant.
Best way I have found to clean either of the 2 off is a nice soak in the pool, about 2 or 3 beers worth normally does the trick.