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There are currently no specific OSHA standards or directives for molds and fungi. However, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general and construction industries. This page highlights OSHA standards, Federal Registers (rules, proposed rules, and notices), and national consensus standards related to molds and fungi.
SMH note: this information was last reviewed in 2004 by OSHA and appears to be outdated
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/standards.html
Molds and Fungi
Standards
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There are currently no specific OSHA standards or directives for molds and fungi. However, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) hazards are addressed in specific standards for the general and construction industries. This page highlights OSHA standards, Federal Registers (rules, proposed rules, and notices), and national consensus standards related to molds and fungi.
OSHA
Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=3359, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section 5(a)(2) http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=OSHACT&p_id=3359 requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act". In addition to the specific OSHA standards listed below, there are national consensus standards which OSHA could consider referencing in a general duty clause citation.
Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.
Highlighted Standards
General Industry (29 CFR 1910) http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910
1910 Subpart G http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1910#1910_Subpart_G, Occupational health and environment control
1910.94 http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9734, Ventilation http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ventilation/index.html[related topic page]
Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926) http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926
1926 Subpart D http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owastand.display_standard_group?p_toc_level=1&p_part_number=1926#1926_Subpart_D, Occupational health and environmental control
1926.57, Ventilation http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10631
Federal Registers
Indoor Air Quality http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=16954. Notice 66:64946, (2001, December 17). OSHA withdrew its Indoor Air Quality proposal and terminated the rulemaking proceeding.
Indoor Air Quality http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=13369. Proposed Rules 59:15968-16039, (1994, April 5). OSHA proposed to adopt standards that addressed indoor air quality in indoor work environments.
Respiratory Protection http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FEDERAL_REGISTER&p_id=13749. Final Rules 63:1152-1300, (1998, January 8). Justifies the use of respirators to prevent the inhalation of harmful airborne contaminants that are alive or were released from a living organism. Respirators protect against bacterial infections resulting from inhalation of bacteria and their products that cause a range of diseases.
National Consensus and Industry Standards and Guidelines
Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker protection.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
62-2001, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Sets minimum ventilation rates and other requirements for commercial and institutional buildings.
Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
S500, Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration. Provides a specific set of practical standards for water damage restoration. It does not attempt to teach comprehensive water damage restoration procedures; rather it provides the foundation for basic principles of proper restoration practices.
S520, Mold Remediation Standard. Establishes mold contamination definitions, descriptions and conditions (1, 2, 3), and general guidance, which, when properly applied, can assist remediators and others in determining criteria that trigger remediation activities or confirm remediation success.
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More important federal OSHA links:
Safety and Health Topics: Molds and Fungi
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/
Molds and Fungi: Hazard Recognition
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/molds/recognition.html
(a significantly dated list of information that is 5 years old or more)
Safety and
Health Topics
Molds and Fungi
Standards
Hazard Recognition
Detection Methods
Control and Clean-up
Additional
Information
Credits
Content Reviewed 09/24/2004
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