Make sure anyone applying a biocide is properly licensed where required. These materials may be disposed of as ordinary waste. Health and safety information with a workplace orientation. Are building occupants reporting musty or moldy odors? Seal ventilation ducts/grills in the work area and areas directly adjacent with plastic sheeting. ft.) - e.g., individual wallboard panels. Remember to change filters as appropriate, especially following any remediation activities. Many of these mitigation measures involve elevating equipment above the expected flood levels. This Safety and Health Information Bulletin is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. Conversely, negative results may persuade investigators to abandon this hypothesis and to consider other sources of mold growth or dissemination. Preventing moisture from condensing by increasing surface temperature or reducing the moisture level in the air (humidity). Inexpensive (less than $50) models that monitor both temperature and humidity are available. For additional information on air sampling, refer to the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' document, "Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control." You can read a description of the report and purchase a copy. Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. When speaking with members of the public about reducing the risk of future hazard damages: Remember that you are THE face and voice of hazard mitigation. The guidelines are designed to protect the health of cleanup personnel and other workers during remediation. The effects of flooding can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or extensive, affecting entire river basins and multiple states. This Guide is also available in HTML. Hazard Mitigation staff distribute ONLYthe mold publication provided by the Hazard Mitigation Community Education and Outreach Group. Visible mold and moldy odors should not be present. If the water or mold damage was caused by sewage or other contaminated water, consult a professional who has experience cleaning and repairing buildings damaged by contaminated water. ONLY the mold publication provided by the Hazard Mitigation Community Education and Outreach Group. This completes this lesson. The contained area and decontamination room should be HEPA vacuumed and cleaned with a damp cloth or mopped with a detergent solution and be visibly clean prior to the removal of isolation barriers. Many communities have adopted even stricter standards in their floodplain ordinance and require higher elevation called freeboard. Freeboard helps compensate for many unknown factors that can contribute to flood heights greater than those calculated in base flood elevations, such as wave action, bridge openings, and the effects of urbanization of the watershed. Mold can cause structural damage to buildings the longer it grows the more damage it can cause. Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. Health Effects of Mold Exposure Looking for condensation and wet spots. Are building materials or furnishings visibly moisture damaged? When informing the public about flood control barriers, it is important to point out that this type of mitigation measure can affect local drainage, possibly creating or worsening flood problems for others. Additional elevation of electrical components above the recommended level further reduces the risk. If a propertys water supply comes from a well, flood waters entering that well can contaminate the groundwater and make the well water unsafe. An example of a dry floodproofing measure is to apply a waterproof veneer, such as a layer of brick backed by a waterproof membrane, directly to the outside surface of an existing structure. The remediation plan should include steps to permanently correct the water or moisture problem. It is important to be able to discuss basic information about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with anyone concerned about flooding. It is a violation of Federal (EPA) law to use a biocide in any manner inconsistent with its label direction. It is recommended that personnel be trained in the handling of hazardous materials and equipped with respiratory protection (e.g., N-95 disposable respirator). Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations, (e.g., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores. Click on the "Back" or the "Next" buttons at the top and bottom of screens to move backward or forward in the lesson. Floodproofing measures are generally designed to protect individual components of a structure, not to bring the structure into compliance with a communitys floodplain ordinance. The tanks, hoses, and attachments of these vacuums should be thoroughly cleaned and dried after use since mold and mold spores may adhere to equipment surfaces. Remediation can be conducted by the regular building maintenance staff. What happens once a loss claim has been reported, Explain the risk and the mitigation actions clearly and at a level of detail appropriate to the listener, Refer to publications/websites that reinforce or provide additional information about rebuilding or repairing to reduce future risk of damages, Communicating basic information to the public about flood-related mold issues, FEMA publications to promote flood mitigation, FEMA-approved online resources available for flood mitigation, Appropriate actions to take when advising the public. They also can be used to monitor the progress of drying damaged materials. To see a numeric display, roll your mouse over the Progress bar area. In conducting the mold remediation, every effort should be made to keep dust and mold out of the air. A full face piece respirator provides both respiratory and eye protection. Mold spores continually float through the indoor and outdoor air. D. This finding may convince the investigators that the mold is growing within, and being disseminated by, the HVAC system. Occupational and environmental health and safety information. The specific method or group of methods used will depend on the type of material affected. Removing people from spaces near the work area is recommended for infants, persons having undergone recent surgery, immunosuppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases. IS 322: Flood Mitigation Basics for Mitigation Staff After a disaster event, which agency is. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published: World Health Organization (WHO) Document. Porous materials that are wet and have mold growing on them may have to be discarded because molds can infiltrate porous substances and grow on or fill in empty spaces or crevices. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the Act, employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. There are many types of mold. This pamphlet briefly describes the benefits of ICC, how much coverage is available, the four options covered, when to file an ICC claim, and how the ICC payment is handled. However it CAN meet requirements for non-residential and commercial structures. Accredited laboratories must participate in quarterly proficiency testing (Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing Program (EMPAT)). If you choose to use disinfectants or biocides, always ventilate the area, using outside air if possible, and exhaust the air to the outdoors. If possible, remediation activities should be scheduled during off-hours when building occupants are less likely to be affected. The advice of a medical professional should always be sought if there are any emerging health issues. These can be accessed from the FEMA website. Click on the "Glossary" button to look up key definitions and acronyms. Remediation plans may vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the job, and may require revision if circumstances change or new facts are discovered. The purpose of mold remediation is to correct the moisture problem and to remove moldy and contaminated materials to prevent human exposure and further damage to building materials and furnishings. Fix source(s) of moisture incursion problem(s) as soon as possible. Contaminated materials that cannot be cleaned should be removed from the building in sealed impermeable plastic bags. Pass the final exam. Indoor air related documents, answers to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) questions, maintains listing of State IAQ contacts, and regional EPA Contacts. If you are working in a DRC or other outreach venue, your supervisor will explain which NFIP publication to distribute and to whom. What mold publications should Hazard Mitigation staff distribute? The remediation manager should rely on professional judgment and experience to adapt the guidelines to particular situations. Other resources are intended for use by building and emergency management professionals. You should have revisited the site(s) shortly after cleanup and it should show no signs of water damage or mold growth. It is important to allow enough time to complete the course in its entirety. In addition, exposure to mold can irritate the eyes, skin, nose and throat in certain individuals. However, removal is still recommended for infants, persons having undergone recent surgery, immune- suppressed people, or people with chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Expert Help. Molds gradually damage building materials and furnishings. Referrals to physicians who have experience with environmental exposures. Industrial hygienists or other environmental health and safety professionals with experience performing microbial investigations and/or mold remediation should be consulted prior to remediation activities to provide oversight for the project. Please refer to the discussion of the different levels of remediation to ascertain the type of respiratory protection recommended. Second, each community participating in the program has adopted a floodplain management ordinance, which reflects the flood risk information provided in the FEMA flood maps. People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. These materials may be disposed of as ordinary waste. The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc., known as FLASH, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation across a variety of natural hazards, including floods. Hurricanes, tsunamis, and unusually high tides can cause coastal flooding. Indoor environmental quality training center giving courses in building moisture and biocontamination, and managing and operating facilities for good IAQ. Over the past 10 years, the average flood claim paid has amounted to nearly $48,000. Pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must comply with hazard-specific safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. These backups not only cause damage that is difficult to repair, but they also create health hazards. Then tab to the Submit button and press Enter to complete a Knowledge Review or Self-Assessment. The plan should cover the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Emphasis should be placed on preventing contamination through proper building and HVAC system maintenance and prompt repair of water damaged areas. Flood insurance is a mitigation measure that protects policy holders from the financial risks of flooding. To help with these costs, the NFIP includes Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage for all eligible properties insured under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. While it is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores, controlling moisture can control indoor mold growth. This explains why mold infestation is often found in damp, dark, hidden spaces; light and air circulation dry areas out, making them less hospitable for mold. Track your progress by looking at the Progress bar at the top right of each screen. This will be further discussed later in the course. The glove material should be selected based on the type of substance/ chemical being handled. Examples of fungicides include hexachlorobenzene, organomercurials, pentachlorophenol, phthalimides, and dithiocarbamates.
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