Mould Removal in the Workplace: What Every Employer Should Know

What to do if you suspect your building has mould

Site managers, building managers and employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. This includes addressing workplace respiratory health by identifying and correcting the conditions that allow mould to grow as well as properly removing mould-damaged materials.

If you believe a mould infestation has taken hold at your workplace, the first thing you need to do is investigate. A visual inspection is the most reliable way to identify problems and the extent of the damage.

Make sure you inspect common sites for mould growth including bathroom tiles, basement walls, window areas where moisture condenses and near leaky water fountains or sinks. Mould can grow on just about anything so also check furniture, carpets, wallpaper and insulation.

Identify mould and water damage at the source

Mould grows where there is sufficient moisture to help it survive. You can start by looking at common sources or causes of water or moisture problems such as:

• Roof leaks
• Condensation associated with high humidity or cold spots in the building
• Localised flooding due to plumbing failures or heavy rains
• Slow leaks in plumbing fixtures
• Malfunction or poor design of humidification systems
• Landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building
• Refrigerators and heating/air conditioning systems

Look for visible mould growth, puddles of water or condensation, and signs of water damage such as discolouration and staining. Mould typically emits a musky odour and will most often appear as small black and white specks, dark spots, stains or patches on surfaces.

However, if you want to check the extent of mould contamination yourself, you can use this checklist to guide your evaluation.

• Protect yourself by wearing personal protective equipment such as goggles, face masks and gloves.
• Locate the source of the mould problem and identify contaminated materials and furniture.
• Identify the size and extent of water damage and mould growth. try to estimate the total square feet of contaminated building materials.
• Check ventilation systems for damage and switch off contaminated HVAC systems
• Identify whether the mould problem is recurrent and persistent. Have there been previous mould problems? Are there areas where mould has been covered with paint?
• Assess whether there are other hazards involved, such as asbestos or toxic chemical.

If there are mouldy odours and/or unexplained health issues among employees but no obvious visual signs or water or mould damage, this may indicate a more severe contamination beneath the surface and will require a professional mould remediation service to treat it.