October 24, 2004—A new Safety and Health Information Bulletin just issued by OSHA gives recommendations on how to prevent mold growth and how to protect workers involved in the prevention and cleanup of mold. According to OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, the bulletin can help individuals with little or no experience with mold remediation to determine if a mold problem exists and whether the contamination can be managed in-house or if outside assistance is required.
The bulletin is directed primarily at FMs, custodians, and others responsible for building maintenance. It offers recommendations on how to prevent mold growth, proper use of personal protective equipment, ways to assess mold or moisture problems, and methods to clean up damage caused by moisture and mold growth.
The bulletin also includes checklists on mold prevention tips, how to determine if a mold problem exists, cleanup methods, and mold remediation guidelines based on the size of an affected area to make it easier to select the appropriate techniques. Additional sections address personal protective equipment, sampling methods, and remediation equipment.
According to OSHA, molds are found almost everywhere and can grow on virtually any substance as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Molds can damage building materials and, if left unchecked, can eventually cause structural damage to wood-framed buildings by weakening floors and walls. In addition, indoor exposure to mold can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks in some individuals.
