The risks of working around mold involve various health problems for workers. In this post, we’ll look at some common mold exposure indicators as well as the essential steps that may be implemented to prevent mold from spreading in the workplace and eventually protect the employees.
In this post, we’ll look at some common mold exposure indicators as well as the essential steps that may be implemented to prevent mold from spreading in the workplace and eventually protect the employees.
Worker Safety and Health Condition While Working with Mold
Upon considering a structure that has experienced water damage from a flood or strong storm, water-logged goods left in the course of a storm are usually the first thing that comes to mind. However, most people forget that mold can develop from the residual dampness in the ceilings, flooring, walls, air ducts, and HVAC system, which is much more harmful.
Internal and external water intrusion caused by a flood can result in water penetration that can leave items in the building damp for a long time. This dampness supplies the moisture necessary for the growth of fungi, mold, bacteria, and other microbes as well as for the infestation of insects. Many harmful health issues have been linked to molds, their byproducts, and fragments. Hence, it’s crucial that all employees in a water-damaged building, as well as those hired to perform cleaning and maintenance, are protected from mold exposure to prevent them from having these health problems.
Risks of Working Near Mold
Ultimately, mold could be even more destructive to the structure of a building than the water or winds that came from the storm. In a worst-case scenario, mold can rapidly develop from moisture that remained behind in attics, walls, basements, or crawl spaces. This usually happens they go
undetected for a long time until it shows as a black stain. By the time the stain appears, the damage has already been present in the carpets, sheetrock, and wood in your building.
Mold releases seed-like spores that can be inhaled into the air. They also create mycotoxins, which are substances that are attached to the mold’s spores and other parts. Among other health issues, mold exposure can worsen pre-existing ailments or illnesses or create allergic reactions. Mold exposure also leads to different common health problems, including the following:
• Asthma developing or getting worse
• Blurred vision and eye irritation
• Bronchitis
• Eczema
• Hay fever or allergic rhinitis
• Hypersensitive pulmonary disease
• Respiratory symptoms and infections in the lungs, throat, and nose
• Skin rashes
In the US, chronic sinus infections are reported to be 93% caused by mold. Furthermore, recent research indicates that mold mycotoxins may contribute to memory loss, melancholy, anxiety, and reproductive issues. Particularly harmful health symptoms from black mold include a persistent headache, sneezing, coughs, eye discomfort, exhaustion, and rashes.
If mold of any kind is discovered within your workplace, your employees should be removed as soon as possible to prevent any potential health problems.
How to Stop Mold in the Office
OSHA advises that any extra moisture must be removed from the affected building as soon as possible. Fortunately, our mold remediation experts from Bedrock Restoration can deal with mold assessment, removal, and even property restoration to guarantee you a safe environment for working. The best common mold remediation recommendations include
• Fix any leaky windows, roofs, or pipes ASAP
• Remove water with a wet-dry vacuum and keep the structure well-ventilated to expedite drying time.
• Use fans to hasten the drying procedure
• Use an air conditioner or humidifier to maintain low humidity levels as much as possible during humid months.
• Discard any material contaminated by mold or water and throw away porous objects that have been soaked for more than 48 hours.
• Only use one-half cup of bleach in one gallon of water to thoroughly clean and disinfect moist surfaces (never mix bleach and any products that contain ammonia)
• Supply your maintenance team with the necessary PPE, such as long gloves, non-vented eyewear, N95 masks, and protective clothing.
• During post-cleanup, monitor the employees’ symptoms to make sure the air quality of your workplace has been restored.