8 Steps of Mold Remediation Series: Step #8: Industrial Hygienist Inspection

Industrial Hygienist Inspection Checklist

Thus far, we’ve outlined 7 of of the 8 important steps to proper mold removal in a home or office in Maine or any other state. Today we’re covering step 8.

Once a mold clean-up project is at a point where drying (if applicable), aggressive removal, thorough cleaning, secondary cleaning, and applying an animicrobrial coating to framing, and a final in-house inspection are complete, you can move on to the final step.

Step #8 for a Proper Mold Remediation Project: Industrial Hygienist Inspection

Now that everything has been completed to near perfection it is time for a trained industrial hygienist to scrutinize the quality of the work. The relationship a remediation firm has with the industrial hygienist is often a love/hate relationship. While a tremendous amount of mutual respect exists, the job of the testing firm is ultimately to find what was missed and to ensure the health and safety of the building occupants. Often there are general contractors, tenants, homeowners etc. who are eagerly awaiting to get back into the work area upon successful test results so achieving a successful round of test results is very important.

Every job is different, but typically the hygienist will take an outdoor control sample in addition to at least one air sample in the living area and often more depending on the scope of damages. Surface samples will also be taken on previously contaminated surfaces to verify cleaning efficacy. A surface can look clean but still have a large mold burden. It can really only be verified as clean by direct microscopic analysis. Attics and crawlspace areas are not occupied living areas, so surface sampling is often the best option for determining remediation success without air testing.

There are many other things the testing firm will look for on a job site including:

  • Checking for dust
  • Missed areas
  • Verifying demolition work
  • Checking materials for moisture
  • Checking humidity levels
  • Checking the overall condition of the job site
  • They will also check containment to verify it is adequate
  • If the home has air ducts these will often be inspected for are corrected.

Once the inspection is complete, samples will be submitted to analysis. It typically takes a few days for results to come in. Once the result are in the hygienist will look them over to determine if the types and quantities are at levels deemed acceptable. It is normal to have some typical outdoor molds but unacceptable to have elevated levels of indoor water damage indicating molds. If levels are acceptable then all parties will be notified and a report will be issued stating that the area is ready for occupancy or for repair work.

Contact Us Today for a FREE Estimate!

It is certainly a process to properly complete a mold removal project the right way. With the right contractor and the right plan however the process can be very timely and as painless as possible. The eight steps outlined here will help to ensure a smooth job with the right outcome.

Contact Octagon Cleaning and Restoration today for a FREE estimate or for more information about our services.