The presence of mold in your commercial building can have disastrous effects on your employees and customers alike. It can also cause significant building damage if it isn’t addressed promptly. Unfortunately, many Atlanta business owners hesitate to act out of fear of making a costly mistake.
The following guide will help you develop a response plan that you can use any time mold threatens your commercial business.
Mold Remediation Guidelines Affecting Atlanta, GA Commercial Buildings
Although there aren’t specific laws pertaining to the safe removal of surface mold growth, certain organizations have still set important guidelines. Consider their safe removal suggestions, detailed below, when developing your response plan:
What the EPA Guidelines Say
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers some common sense rules to use in dealing with commercial mold. For example, it’s important to address the water leak or source of moisture. Failing to correct the problem will lead to chronic mold growth in the same parts of the building.
OSHA Regulations to Follow
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) focuses more on the health effects involved in dealing with mold. For example, they emphasize the importance of limited exposure for employees. Additionally, only those employees who are fully trained in safe mold removal should take on these tasks. When cleaning moldy surfaces, they should make use of respirators, gloves, and other personal protective gear.
Know the Local Building Codes
Keep up to date with your local area’s building codes and the ways in which they impact the issue of mold in commercial buildings. You may have to modify your building’s construction or renovation plans to comply with new standards. The Georgia Department of Public Health has resources to help you learn more about mold prevention and remediation.
A Guide to Creating a Commercial Mold Remediation Plan
As a business owner, it’s essential to create a response plan for commercial mold remediation. Here are some ideas to incorporate into yours:
Address Moisture Problems Before They Start
It’s not always possible to catch a water leak right away, especially when you manage a large commercial building. Be that as it may, some practical steps can reduce the risk of a leak.
Keep up with roof maintenance with prompt inspections and repairs, and schedule repairs for plumbing problems as soon as you discover a leak. It’s also helpful to install additional drainage in areas where you know excess moisture is particularly common.
Make Visual Inspections a Part of Your Routine
Since mold can remain hidden and cause health issues without being spotted, professional inspections will help you maintain a safer commercial environment. Between these visits, however, it’s up to you to look for the visible signs of moisture exposure and mold.
Incorporate Non-Organic Building Materials
In addition to moisture and humidity, mold needs organic materials for nourishment. By choosing non-organic building materials (steel, concrete, and glass) in your new building’s construction or your current building’s renovation, you’ll do a much better job at deterring mold growth.
Document All of Your Moisture Problems and Your Responses
You should keep track of any moisture problems you deal with, including water leaks, with photos and written reports. Your documentation should include a description of the problem, the date you discovered the problem, and how you dealt with it.
Additionally, describe your repairs and remediation efforts in preventing or removing mold growth. These records will make it easier to track recurring problems, and they may also provide some protection against any premises liability claims.
Stay Updated on Changes to the Laws
Whether you’re looking at local building regulations or federal environmental restrictions, the laws are always changing. These changes result, in part, from new innovations and scientific discoveries. However, they can still make it difficult to anticipate how you’ll deal with mold in your commercial building going forward. Keeping an eye out for new legal updates can help you remain compliant.
Develop and Practice a Response Plan
Your approach should encompass everything from the discovery of mold up to the remediation process. It should assign specific tasks to your employees, such as the removal of essential assets from affected areas.
Furthermore, everyone on your staff should know which professional mold remediation company you use. Provide regular training for your employees to make sure they know how to handle and evacuate affected areas. Teach them how to wear the proper protective gear when they face the possibility of exposure as well.
Preparation Provides the Best Weapon Against Mold
Use these various tips as the basis for your mold response plan. After your first experience with mold in your commercial building, you can customize your approach to meet your specific needs. Ultimately, a mold response plan that you improve over time is the best defense against the substance and the hazards it creates in your commercial building.
