Mold Awareness During Demo and Water Damage Work
29 CFR 1910.134 · 29 CFR 1926.95 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Open a wet wall and you may release a face full of mold spores. Mold can grow where things stayed wet for more than a day or two: behind drywall, under flooring, inside HVAC. For sensitive people it means allergies and irritation, and it can set off asthma attacks in people with asthma. OSHA rules on respirators and protective gear still apply when we work with it. Today: recognize it, contain it, protect your lungs.
Hazards
- ⚠ Spore clouds released when opening wet walls and ceilings
- ⚠ Hidden growth behind vinyl wallpaper, cabinets, and insulation
- ⚠ Contaminated HVAC systems spreading spores through a building
- ⚠ Dry demo of moldy materials filling the air with dust
- ⚠ Allergic and asthmatic reactions in sensitive workers
- ⚠ Sewage or dirty water damage, which needs a pro who cleans that kind of water damage
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Survey water-damaged areas before demo; probe and peek before you tear.
- ✓ Wet down moldy materials lightly before removal to keep spores out of the air.
- ✓ Isolate the work area: plastic sheeting, closed doors, and HVAC off or sealed in the zone.
- ✓ Wear an N95 at minimum for small areas; larger or heavy contamination needs a respirator program and may need a remediation contractor.
- ✓ Gloves and eye protection; wash hands and face before eating.
- ✓ Bag moldy debris at the point of removal instead of carrying it loose through the building.
- ✓ Report symptoms: tight chest, wheezing, or worsening allergies on the job.
Crew discussion questions
- Where has water been sitting in this building, and what is behind those surfaces?
- What is our containment plan before we open wet walls?
- Who has allergies or asthma the crew should know about?
- At what point do we call a remediation contractor instead of handling it ourselves?
Applicable OSHA standards
29 CFR 1910.134, 29 CFR 1926.95
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