Mold Complaints at Your Workplace?

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

Interrupting business, risking the health of employees and patrons, and threatening the structural integrity of the building, mold in the workplace is nothing short of a nightmare. According to OSHA’s Mold Fact Sheet, “mold is the most common forms of fungi found on earth. They can grow on almost any materials, as long as moisture and oxygen are available.” 

How to recognize mold?

Most people have concerns by a visual concern of mold by noticing a new growth where most common can be black. Next is smell, where some may describe is as musty or damp smell.

Is it black mold?

You can address any employee’s concern regards to mold by confirming with an air and swab sample for testing. Visual inspecting are limited to what the eye can see with trained professional, in the beginning of a mold outbreak the mold may not be visual yet. According to OSHA there is 1,000 species of mold that can be found in the Untied States? You cannot visually identify the kind of the mold with a naked eye.

How do you know if you’ve finished remediation/cleanup?

Correcting the source of the water or moisture issue prior to remediation beginning. All areas should be visually addressed and no signs of musty smells. Prior to allowing those to occupy the space have it air sampled to ensure the level of the mold found inside the building are within acceptable range to those spores outside.

It Can Happen Anywhere

Remember the OSHA’s warning that mold can grow on “virtually any substance” and can therefore be found anywhere. When going about business as usual, pay close attention to any areas of your business dealing with water, including plumbing, pipes, faucets, and drains, for leaks or buildups of moisture. If any areas of your business have experienced leaks in the past, be sure to add them to your list of high-risk mold growth spots and inspect them for leaks often.

If you locate mold inside your commercial building reach out to SERVPRO of Chambersburg at 717-261-0310 for consultation on the procedures and recommendation. You can also send photos of the concerns to our office email at office@servpochambersburg.com To better assist you during you please be prepared to know the history of the space prior to and when the mold concern began for past water or moisture issues.