Tag Archives: Mold in The Workplace

Untreated Workplace Mold? What to Know to Prevent a Lawsuit!

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Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers' Health

Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers’ Health

As an employer or landlord, you have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions for employees and tenants. Mold and mold-related illnesses have become the focus of an increasing number of lawsuits, making Manhattan mold removal imperative. What can you do to protect employees and tenants while reducing liability?

Preventing Mold in Commercial Buildings

Mold spores surround us constantly, both indoors and out. Problems arise with extended exposure to large concentrations of indoor mold growth.

• Stay vigilant for signs of mold. Infestations may not always be visible, so your first clue may be a persistent musty smell. You should also investigate if people begin complaining about chronic symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and fatigue.

• Removing visible mold isn’t enough. Identify and resolve the cause, whether it’s leaky pipes, poor construction or excess humidity.

• Keep employees or tenants informed about steps you’re taking to remediate mold. Failure to disclose can cause reduction in morale and productivity while reflecting negatively on you in any possible legal action.

• Mold isn’t always covered by insurance. Check your policy, and if mold isn’t included, ask about purchasing additional coverage.

• If you’re doing any construction or renovations, review contracts to ensure contractors and subcontractors are liable for any defects that may cause mold.

Safe and Effective Manhattan Mold Removal

Stern Mold provides eco-friendly, non-intrusive removal of infestations while treating the conditions that cause mold growth. Contact us to schedule a free mold inspection by our professional Manhattan mold removal team.

Posted in Mold Information, Mold Law, News

Found Mold in Your Office? How Big of a Health Problem Is It?

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Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers' Health

Mold in the Workplace Can Affect Workers’ Health

In general, most offices are kept clean and mold-free. But if  management doesn’t fix leaks or act quickly enough to rectify various moisture problems, you get the perfect conditions for mold to grow and thrive.

But how big a deal is mold in the office? If your workplace has a mold problem, are you right to be concerned about your health? The answer to that question is a resounding yes. Let’s talk about why, and how you will know when it’s time to get Manhattan mold removal.

Mold and its Impact on Health

In many cases, a small amount of mold might not have any impact on a person’s physical health. That could change if the problem is ignored. Also, there are those who are more sensitive to mold who might feel its negative effects even when there’s only a small number of spores present.

Some of the health issues that mold can cause include:

• Lung infections

• Asthma

• Allergies

Those with weakened immune systems might experience even worse problems. In addition to that, people with certain types of blood disorders could suffer from fatal complications as a result of being exposed to mold.

Contact Your Manhattan Mold Removal Service for Assistance

If your office has a mold problem, please don’t ignore it. Mold can quickly get out of control, and before you know it, your company could have a very expensive problem on its hands.

At Stern Mold, we’re here to assist with your mold problem. Contact us.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Identification, Mold Information

Could Mold be One Cause of Sick Building Syndrome?

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Could Mold be One Cause of Sick Building Syndrome?

Could Mold be One Cause of Sick Building Syndrome?

NYC mold remediation specialists get a lot of questions about mold and sick building syndrome (SBS). Is there a link?

A Controversial Diagnosis
SBS goes by many other names, including building-related illness and multiple chemical sensitivity. A controversial diagnosis, the role mold plays in the picture blossoms from two schools of thought:

– SBS doesn’t exist…
Symptoms are nonspecific with no proven cause or specific test for diagnosis, but believed to result from an unknown source inside a building (gases, bacteria, mold), leading to OSHA, EPA, and CDC intervention in which indoor air quality and work environment as related to the cause of workers’ illness must be investigated.

– SBS is a true disease…
Practitioners believing in the existence of this condition speculate causes could result from compounds within a building, including smoke, VOCs, radon, bacteria, and fungi, such as black mold, with reactions varying based on patient health/allergies/sensitivity.

Well-Known Health Consequences
Though SBS remains controversial, the deleterious health consequences of mold are not. Mold exposure is known to cause health issues, with the Institute of Medicine recognizing the link between indoor mold exposure and upper respiratory issues in otherwise healthy people.

Furthermore, the EPA recognizes building-related illnesses, using this terminology to identify health problems found in buildings where complaints of the negative health impact of buildings have been reported. They also recognize the need to identify the compounds in buildings that are at the root of the cause of complaints, including toxic gases, bacteria, mildew and mold.

Concerned that mold in your home or work environment is causing health issues? Contact the NYC mold remediation at Stern Mold for a free inspection today.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, News

Employers – Take Reports of Mold in the Workplace Seriously

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Employers Must Weigh Concerns of Mold Seriously In the Workplace.

Employers Must Weigh Concerns of Mold Seriously In the Workplace.

Recently, a Pennsylvania employee was fired from her job for reporting mold in the workplace. She had notified the company of the problem, and when they failed to take steps to remedy the problem, reported to OSHA.

Mold in the Workplace: Don’t Ignore It

The company was notified by OSHA representatives that the issue had been brought to their attention and the area needed to be inspected.

Long story short, the company had the area inspected and was told there was a significant mold issue that needed immediate remediation. The company acknowledged the problem, but two months later, refused to take action. The employee continued to file complaints and several weeks after the inspection was completed, the company retaliated by firing her.

This is a direct violation of federal legislation put in place to protect employees who “blow the whistle” on illegal conduct. In too many instances, employees are afraid to come forward for exactly what happened to the Pennsylvania employee and why protections were put into law.

The company’s failure to take action and the firing of a whistleblower, which is the term used for people who bring illegal situations to light, cost the business $105,000 as a settlement to the employee. It most likely would have cost less to have had a professional mold treatment of the affected area.

If you are aware of a mold problem or an employee(s) bring it to your attention, don’t hesitate to hire mold removal service in New Jersey immediately.

At Stern Mold, we handle mold removal in New Jersey with specialized treatments to eliminate problems and make sure everyone is working in a healthy, mold-free environment.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Treatment, News

OSHA Guidelines on Mold in the Workplace

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OSHA Guidelines on Mold in the Workplace

OSHA Guidelines on Mold in the Workplace

Residential mold problems often make the news headlines, but the stories don’t end there. Mold removal in New Jersey is equally important in office buildings, restaurants and other workplaces. While there are currently no federal regulations in place, OSHA offers helpful guidelines for dealing with workplace mold.

When Does Mold Become a Problem?

Mold spores are constantly present in the air, both indoors and outdoors. They generally have no effect unless they begin to colonize on an interior surface. If left untreated, mold can eventually cause serious health and structural issues.

What Causes Mold to Grow?

Water is the lifeblood of mold. Growth occurs in areas with excessive moisture, where a mold spore is more likely to come into contact with dampness. Risky workplace conditions include leaky pipes or roofs, and malfunctioning HVAC systems.

How Does Mold Impact Health?

Mold produces allergens that can trigger a number of upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and scratchy throat. While people who suffer from allergies are most susceptible, those without allergies can still develop symptoms after prolonged exposure.

How Can Mold Be Prevented?

– Clean up water spills, leaks and floods immediately and repair any corresponding damage.

– Make sure that kitchens, bathrooms and moisture-generating appliances are properly vented according to code.

– Have HVAC systems inspected and maintained regularly.

– Schedule a professional mold assessment to identify risk factors and confirm the presence of mold.

Safe and Effective Mold Removal in New Jersey

Our proprietary MoldExterm program offers eco-friendly mold remediation and prevention with minimal disruption to your workplace. Contact Stern Mold to schedule a free mold inspection by one of our experienced technicians.

Posted in Mold & Your Health, Mold Law, Mold Treatment, News, NJ Mold Removal, NYC Mold Removal
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