Homeowners who have black mold problems in their basements or other areas of their homes are generally considered to be on their own. Mold removal is the personal responsibility of every homeowner. But what about when the problem strikes an office building that you work in? What then?
Whenever you find black mold in any building, there's a good chance the problem runs deeper than it looks. Mold on ceiling tiles could extend into the crawlspace. Mold on a wall could be inside the wall as well. A wet spot from a roof leak is a mold hazard waiting to happen. If you spot black mold anywhere in your office building, it's important to let your employer know as soon as possible. If your employer owns the building, he may thank you; mold removal isn't cheap, but the sooner the problem is addressed, the better.
LOWES VALLEY
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the sector of the US Department of Labor charged with regulating safety in the workplace. OSHA requires all businesses to comply with a set of standards that guarantees workers a healthy and safe working environment. But there's no uniform federal law that addresses mold removal, so creating standards for this fall to state legislatures. (The legislatures make up the rules; OSHA more or less enforces the safety plans the states design.) Researching mold removal laws for your state is no simple task.
What OSHA does provide are standards for mold removal contractors to follow. If the mold presents a relatively small problem, the building's maintenance crew may be able to handle the cleanup. But if there's a severe problem that threatens workers' health -- and black mold symptoms are nothing to take lightly -- then professional mold removal contractors should be hired.
If you've told your employer and the problem persists, or if your employer rents office space and can't get the property owner to hire a mold removal crew, legal remedies do exist. Labor attorneys, or even personal injury lawyers, can provide guidance and service in cases like these. Try a web search for "toxic mold attorney" or "toxic mold lawsuit," combined with the name of your state. Your list of results should include several experienced legal minds. Just be sure your lawyer is versed in the relevant laws in your state.
When considering your health, or the health of your employees, it's hard to put a price on a good mold removal effort.
What is the Law Governing Mold Removal? LOWES VALLEY
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