Protecting Employees from
Workplace Hazards
OSHA Rules to
Consider During Mold
Remediation Projects
Presented by
Jens Nissen, CIH
Iowa OSHA Enforcement
515-281-3122
Mold Remediation
• OSHA has not established specific rules
for mold abatement activities.
Therefore, employers must comply with
applicable provisions of standards
which have been enacted.
– 1926 Construction Standards
– 1910 General Industry Standards
– Code of Iowa 88.4 General Duty Clause
• OSHA regulations require employers to
protect their employees from workplace
hazards such as machines, work
procedures, and hazardous substances
that can cause injury
• Employers must institute all feasible
engineering and work practice controls
to eliminate and reduce hazards before
using PPE to protect against hazards
Key OSHA Standards
• Construction Standards 1926 Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) 1926.95:
– 1926.96 Foot Protection
– 1926.100 Head Protection
– 1926.102 Eye and Face Protection
– 1926.103 Respiratory Protection (1910.134)
Respirators are devices that protect workers from
inhaling harmful substances. These substances can
be in the form of airborne:
• gases
• vapors
• dust
•
•
•
•
fumes
mists
smoke
sprays
Some respirators also ensure that workers do not
breathe air that contains dangerously low levels of
oxygen (O2).
Air-Purifying Respirator (APR)
A respirator with an
air-purifying filter,
cartridge, or canister
that removes specific
air contaminants by
passing ambient air
through the airpurifying element.
Supplied Air Respirator (SAR)
An atmosphere-supplying respirator for
which the source of breathing air is not
designed to be carried by the user. Also
called airline respirator.
Key OSHA Standards
• Construction Standards 1926
General Provisions:
– 1926.25 Housekeeping
– 1926.50 Medical Services & First
Aid
– 1926.51 Sanitation
– 1926.59 Hazard Communication
(1910.1200)
– 1926.150 Fire Protection
– 1926.200 Accident Prevention
Signs & Tags
Respirator Standard
(a) Permissible practice
(b) Definitions
(c) Respirator program
(d) Selection of respirators
(e) Medical evaluation
(f) Fit testing
(g) Use of respirators
(h) Maintenance and care
(i) Breathing air quality and
use
(j) Identification of filters,
cartridges, and canisters
(k) Training and information
(l) Program evaluation
(m) Recordkeeping
(n) Dates
(o) Appendices
A: Fit Testing Procedures
B-1: User Seal Checks
B-2: Cleaning Procedures
C: Medical Questionnaire
D: Non-mandatory use
What Control Measures Have
Been Implemented Here?
Hazard Communication
Toxic and Hazardous Substances
• Purpose." (a)(1) To ensure that the hazards of all
chemicals produced or imported are evaluated
and that information concerning their hazards is
transmitted to employers and employees.
Hazard
Communication
Training
Program
Container
Labeling
Label
Material Safety
Data Sheet
M.S.D.S.
1926.150 (a)(3)
General Requirements
All fire fighting
equipment,
provided by the
employer,
shall be
conspicuously
located.
13
Key OSHA Standards
• Construction Standards 1926 Electrical,
Fall Protection, etc.:
– 1926.403 General Electrical Requirements
– 1926.404 Wiring Design & Protection
– 1926.451 Scaffolds General Requirements
– 1926.452 Specific Types of Scaffolds
– 1926.454 Scaffold Training
– 1926.501 Duty to Have Fall Protection
– 1926.850 Demolition
– 1926.1051 Ladders
Electrical
• 1926.403 – Live parts must be guarded.
• 1926.404 – Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters or an
Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program
must be utilized. Systems & Equipment must be
grounded and overcurrent protection provided.
• 1926.405 – Flexible cords and cables must be used in
an approved manner. Electrical cabinets and boxes
must be covered.
451(b)(1)(ii)
Fully planked between
front upright and guardrail
support
Where are the
guardrails?
Questions ?
Contacts
• Iowa OSHA Consultation 515-281-7629
• Iowa OSHA Enforcement 515-281-8066