Mold Exposure on Construction Sites
Construction and general industry · Ver en español
Talking points
- Mold grows wherever there is moisture, organic material, and warmth. On construction sites, it is commonly found during renovation, water damage restoration, and in buildings that have been closed up.
- OSHA does not have a specific PEL for mold, but exposure can cause allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and in severe cases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis — a serious lung inflammation.
- If you see visible mold or smell a musty odor, do not disturb it until an assessment is done. Disturbing mold releases massive quantities of spores into the air.
- For mold remediation of areas greater than 10 square feet, EPA recommends containment, HEPA filtration, and respiratory protection. Smaller areas can be cleaned with detergent and water.
- Workers with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems are at higher risk. These workers should be assigned to tasks away from known mold-affected areas.
Ask the crew
Have we encountered any water damage or musty areas on this project — and has anyone assessed them for mold?
Standards this talk is built on
- Section 5(a)(1)
A toolbox talk is a short safety briefing. It supports the training a standard requires; it does not replace it.
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Sign-in sheet
Print this page to collect signatures, or run the talk in Jobsite and workers sign in on their phones.
| Name | Signature | Date |
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