Required PPE for Mold Remediation

8/28/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professional checking for moisture

Required PPE for Mold Remediation

When you discover mold damage at your home in Phoenix, AZ, it’s not something to take lightly. Mold is sneaky and can quickly spread throughout your home before you realize it’s there. This is why it’s critical that the proper personal protective equipment, such as face masks and coveralls, is worn during the remediation. It not only protects the cleanup crew, but it also helps to avoid cross-contamination into unaffected areas.

1. Hair Covers

During mold remediation job, everyone in the affected area should cover their hair with disposable hair covers. Mold spores will be floating through the air throughout the process, getting trapped in workers’ hair. This is a significant risk for cross-contamination of mold to other areas of the home.

2. Eye Protection

Safety glasses or goggles must be worn to protect the eyes during mold cleanup. Not only will mold spores be traveling through the air, but also dust and debris. For a smaller cleaning job, workers might wear safety glasses. However, for a larger job, they’ll wear safety goggles that provide additional protection.

3. Masks

Face masks are the most essential article of PPE for restoration professionals. Different levels of protection are available. N-95 is the minimum level appropriate for mold, filtering at least 95% of airborne particles. N-99 and N-100 respirator masks will filter at least 99% and 99.97% of airborne particles, respectively.

4. Coveralls

Disposable coveralls are typically worn over clothes to avoid cross-contamination. They can be removed and disposed of before going into the unaffected areas of the house.

5. Gloves

Disposable gloves (e.g., latex gloves) are used for cleaning mold damage. Just as with the other disposable PPE, they need to be removed and thrown away before leaving the scene. They’ll be replaced by new gloves upon return.

6. Shoe Covers

Disposable shoe covers will be worn during the remediation process to keep from tracking mold and other debris from the affected area to unaffected areas.

Mold remediation can be complicated and requires specialized equipment. Face masks and other PPE are a vital part of this process.