U. S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine
Office of Science and Technology Assessment
A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace
| This Safety
and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or
regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. The
Bulletin is advisory in nature, informational in content,
and is intended to assist building managers, custodians,
and others who are responsible for building maintenance.
Contractors and other professionals (e.g., environmental
consultants and health or safety professionals) who
respond to mold and moisture situations in buildings, as
well as members of the general public, also may want to
refer to these guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards as issued and enforced by either the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), or an OSHA-approved State Plan. In addition, Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause, requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for violating the General Duty Clause if there is such a recognized hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard. However, failure to implement these guidelines is not, in itself, a violation of the General Duty Clause. Citations can only be based on standards, regulations, and the General Duty Clause. |
Introduction
Concern about indoor exposure to mold has increased along with
public awareness that exposure to mold can cause a variety of
health effects and symptoms, including allergic reactions. This
safety and health information bulletin provides recommendations
for the prevention of mold growth and describes measures designed
to protect the health of building occupants and workers involved
in mold cleanup and prevention. This bulletin is directed
primarily at building managers, custodians, and others
responsible for building maintenance, but may also be used as a
basic reference for those involved in mold remediation. By
reading this safety and health information bulletin, individuals
with little or no experience with mold remediation may be able to
reasonably judge whether mold contamination can be managed in-house
or whether outside assistance is required. The advice of a
medical professional should always be sought if there are any
emerging health issues. This document will help those responsible
for building maintenance in the evaluation of remediation plans.
Contractors and other professionals (e.g. industrial hygienists
or other environmental health and safety professionals) who
respond to mold and moisture situations in buildings, as well as
members of the general public, also may find these guidelines
helpful. The information in these guidelines is intended only as
a summary of basic procedures and is not intended, nor should it
be used, as a detailed guide to mold remediation. These
guidelines are subject to change as more information regarding
mold contamination and remediation becomes available.