OSHA Regulations & Mold

Every indoor space, no matter how clean and dry you to try to keep it, is likely still going to have at least some traces of mold. It’s nearly impossible to eradicate every spore of mold because there are so many thousands of strains, each with its own special ability to grow in multiple kinds of environments. But while we can’t eliminate mold completely, we should always be doing our best to not give it any sort of sanctuary, especially in the workspaces where our employees and coworkers are earning their living. So whether you’re an employer or an employee, it’s a good idea to understand Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and mold. That way, you’ll be sure your work environment is up to government standards in case of an inspection – but far more importantly, you’ll be doing the right thing to safeguard your fellow employees against the detrimental effects that mold can have on physical well-being and operational productivity.

OSHA breaks its mold regulations down into three major areas: general industry, maritime or shipyard employment, and construction environments. If you’ve got an industry-specific question for a particular type of building or situation, you can visit https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/standards.html and follow the detailed links to every subsection of the regulation. (Uncle Sam goes deep into the details if you need them!) There are also additional directives about respiratory protection and indoor air quality. But if you just need a basic summary and overview of the OSHA regulations on mold, https://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib101003.html is the place to go for the Safety and Health Information Bulletin called “A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace.” The key takeaways for this document include:

• Mold Basics: What mold is, how it grows, and when it becomes a problem indoors.
• Health Effects: Although there are not currently any federal recommended limits on mold concentrations, OSHA lays out some of the negative physical consequences for mold exposure and what actions to take if you think your workplace has a problem.
• Prevention: This section of the bulletin is chock-full of mold prevention tips, such as:
  • Keeping moisture from getting out of control
  • Promptly repairing any leaks that occur
  • Striving to keep your indoor humidity below 70%
  • Providing adequate ventilation and drainage throughout your buildings
  • Conducting periodic inspections to identify areas where mold is prone to grow
• Remediation Methods and Guidelines: Here, OSHA lays out steps to take for ridding your workplace from mold if you find it, including the wear and use of Personal Protective Equipment and what type of equipment and techniques to use.

What if you’ve got a mold infestation problem? Do you really have the time or the resources to do everything that OSHA recommends to identify and remediate a mold issue in your workplace? Instead of worrying about reestablishing compliance by going the DIY route, why not trust the industry-leading professionals in mold inspection and mold testing services to confirm you have an issue that requires mold removal, not to mention the best-trained and equipped crews in the business to make the mold disappear? Look no further than the mold remediation professionals here at AdvantaClean! Since 1994, AdvantaClean has been the most trusted name for every aspect of the mold removal process: we’re certified by the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI). That means we’re the proven experts, from a comprehensive mold inspection of every nook and cranny of your property, to advanced mold testing to confirm which types of mold you’re actually facing (is it a harmless strain of mildew or a type of the notorious black mold?), to the most thorough and meticulous mold remediation to get rid of the mold for good. We want to help you keep your commercial business environment as clean and safe as possible, not only so that you’ll be compliant with OSHA standards and avoid costly fines and interruptions to your routine operations, but more importantly because it’s the right thing to do for your employees. Sure, you’ll be investing some money in our services now, but we’re confident that they’ll pay off in the long run: when your workers are breathing healthier air, they’ll be more productive and happier, plus you won’t see them taking as many sick days to deal with the many symptoms of mold-related maladies – everything from runny noses to respiratory problems, from itchy skin to red eyes and headaches.

Your locally-owned AdvantaClean service provider is standing by now with crews of motivated mold remediation professionals who are ready to get your workplace back to a safe, clean and OSHA-compliant environment. Let us take the worry out of your mold situation and get you back to what we know you love doing best: serving your customers and your employees.

Call (877) 800-2382 for the best commercial mold removal with AdvantaClean today!

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