Instructions / Assembly

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Recommended Practices for Controlling Asphalt Fume
Exposures during Hot Asphalt Roofing Jobs
Introduction
Controlling worker exposures to asphalt fumes and
particulates should be a priority on every hot asphalt roofing
job. Although inhalation exposures to fumes in hot asphalt
roofing work are, on average, at or below recommended
health-based limits, higher exposures are not uncommon,
especially for kettle operators but also, to a lesser extent, on
the roof. In addition, asphalt fumes can condense onto the
skin, and some of the chemicals in asphalt can be absorbed
through the skin. ARMA and NRCA recommend the use of
good temperature management and practical exposure
control practices to reduce potential health and safety risks,
minimize odor complaints, and improve working conditions
while ensuring a quality roof installation.
Effective Temperature Management
Temperature control is essential on every hot asphalt roofing
job for three reasons: (1) hot asphalt roof construction
requires that the asphalt be applied within a specified
temperature range in order to reduce the risk of roof failure
or reduced service life; (2) overheating the asphalt can cause
kettle fires or explosions; and (3) health scientists agree that
heating asphalt to higher temperatures results in significantly
higher worker exposures to fumes – scientific studies indicate
that, at the temperatures needed for commercial application
of hot asphalt, roofer exposure to asphalt fumes can be cut
in half by reducing temperatures by 50°F [28°C]. Effective
temperature management involves the following steps:
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