Mold Removal Safety Measures

5/21/2022 (Permalink)

Our technicians wear protective gear when performing a mold job.

What Safety Measures Are Needed During Mold Removal?

When a qualified restoration company is dealing with mold growth, it will take several safety measures to reduce the spread of spores. In general, the size of the contaminated area will determine exactly what safety measures are needed. However, some mold remediation professionals decide more or fewer precautions are necessary depending on other factors. For instance, heavy growth in a small area may warrant more methods to reduce spreading spores. The major safety measures include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and containment.

Personal Protective Equipment
Employees wear PPE to protect themselves from exposure to spores. This is because the restoration process will cause spores and other debris to become airborne, making them easier to inhale. Some actions that high levels of PPE include:

• Breaking contaminated drywall
  
• Using invasive techniques in walls
  
• Removing wallpaper
  
• Running fans
  
  

Limited Containment
Limited containment is when one sheet of polyethylene is used to block off a contaminated area. The plastic sheets are secured to the floor and ceiling with duct tape. Workers will leave a slit in the plastic so they can enter and exit the site. This is typically used for workspaces that are less than 100 square feet.

Full Containment
Full containment involves placing double layers of polyethylene sheets between the moldy and uncontaminated areas. This also involves creating a decontamination chamber where employees suit up and remove moldy PPE. This room must be big enough to hold all of the employees' PPE from their respirators to Tyvek suits. It must also contain a hamper where dirty PPE can be placed. The doors to this entryway are thick flaps designed to protect people working in areas without mold.
This practice is used when more than 100 square feet of your building in Highland Ranch, CO, is contaminated. It may also be implemented if there is a higher risk that the spores could spread to other building areas.
When performing mold removal, there are several measures that professionals will take to protect themselves and the rest of the building. The most common methods include wearing PPE and containment.