Mold in the workplace (and in the home) is a serious problem. If you were going to give a safety talk on this subject, would you be able to name the common indoor molds? Could you supply information about mold in Spanish? What if you wanted to show your workers what Aspergillus clavatus looks like?

In this edition of my series of useful resources on the Internet for safety professionals, we look at mold. Here are some useful links on the subject, including several with glossaries and photos.

1. Glossary and Photos

http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/fungus/

If I had to pick the best website, it would be the University of Minnesota, Department of Environmental Health and Safety: Fungi in Buildings for its good fungal glossary and photographs.

2. Downloadable Booklets

http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldresources.html

My second favorite website for mold would be the US Environmental Protection Agency, Mold Resources Homepage. In addition to answers to frequently asked questions, you'll also find downloadable mold guidance booklets.

3. FAQs

http://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm

On this site the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention answers frequently asked questions on molds in the environment. It also provides a Mold Clean-up Fact Sheet.

4. Reports

http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/01/notes/v8n1.pdf

Prepared by the California State Library, the 19-page California Research Bureau Report: Molds, Toxic Molds, and Indoor Air Quality offers an easy-to-read, yet comprehensive look at the topic.

5. Operating Procedures

http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/sop.html

Written for the University of Minnesota Facilities Management Asbestos Abatement personnel, this Standard Operating Procedure describes safe work practices for projects and tasks that involve the removal of mold-bearing materials.

6. Managing Water Infiltration

http://www.dehs.umn.edu/iaq/flood.html

Also from the University of Minnesota, this site describes a systemized approach for managing water problems in buildings due to floods, leaks, sewage backup and other water infiltrations.

7. Mold in the Home

http://www.cal-iaq.org/mold0107.htm.
and
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/mold/index.html

Updated in June, 2006, The Indoor Air Quality Info Sheet, Mold in My Home: What Do I Do, offered by the California Department of Health Services provides some basic information for homeowners. The Minnesota Department of Health does the same.

8. Mold in the Bathroom

http://www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/98/980310.html

In their article, "Moisture Control in Bathrooms," published by Home Energy Magazine Online, March/April 1998, Marilou Cheple and Pat Huelman describe how to protect bathroom walls from trapped moisture.

9. Mold and Your Kids

http://home2.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/lead/lead-brochure-healthy-home.pdf

This New York City Department of Health Healthy Homes brochure discusses lead, mold and other problems found in the home during renovation or remodeling and what you can do to keep your children safe.

10. Other Indoor Air Quality Topics

http://www.cal-iaq.org//iaqsheet.htm

The California Indoor Air Quality Program links page supplies links to InfoSheets and other resources on mold, ozone, asbestos, radon and other IAQ topics.

Conclusion

If you have a favorite link that you've found helpful in your work, send it along to bweissman@hillmanngroup.com for possible inclusion in my next article.

HEALTHY TIPS

How to Improve Your Memory

By Catherine Jones

Harvard Health Publications recently released a report on steps people can take to prevent age-related memory loss. In short, the seven steps, which can be started at any age, are:

1. Exercise;
2. Keep learning;
3. Don't smoke;
4. Eat your fruits, veggies, fish, nuts and whole grains;
5. Get six to eight hours of sleep a night;
6. Take your vitamins;
7. Establish supportive social relationships.

The report also included some strategies to overcome common memory lapses. You don't need to wait until you're a senior to find these tips helpful:

1. To remember someone's name, use the person's name in the conversation as soon as you are introduced. For example, "It's nice to meet you, Dave. Ted was just telling me about his holidays. Ted, tell Dave that story about your mother-in-law's bus ride."

2. To remember where you've put something, note out loud where you are placing the object as you put it down. For example, "I've put the car keys on the hallway table."

3. To remember what someone's told you, silently repeat the information to yourself and think about what it means. For example, "The office is closed next Monday. This means I'll have to get my paperwork in on Friday."

Tip Xchange: SafetyXChange members often tell us that they need quick safety tips to include in their newsletters or safety meetings. Do you have a tip to share with your colleagues? If so, send them to catherinej@bongarde.com. (And let us know if we can include your name/company name.)

ASK THE EXPERT
Safety Best Practices

For this week's "Ask the Expert," SafetyXChange is pleased to offer the services of David Hatton.

David Hatton is an experienced safety professional, involved with life safety codes for more than 36 years. Dave is the owner of Hatton Safety Consultants (HSC), which has provided consulting, training, compliance program development and safety audits to customers for 12 years. These clients include federal, state and local agencies, as well as public and private sector companies.

Dave is a member of The National Fire Protective Association - Electrical Section
International Association of Electrical Inspectors and the Association of Safety Professionals and is Past Vice President of the Middlesex Chapter of the Mass Electrical Contractor Association.

A graduate of Northeastern University's Fire Protective Systems Certification Program, Dave is an instructor for the National Center for Construction Education and Research. He's a Certified Level 1 Infrared Thermographer, is authorized by the US Department of Labor to conduct training under the OSHA outreach training for 10 and 30 hour courses, and has been approved by Red Rocks Community College for continuing education college credits .

Dave is a licensed Journeyman and Master electrician in Massachusetts and has worked on a number of electrical projects in the industrial, commercial and residential sectors. The focus of his work in the last 15 years has centered on Electrical and Fire Safety Codes, training development and delivery. Dave also teaches vocational trades programs in the Boston area, and is active in a number of states' continuing education training programs.

Dave and his wife Leslie enjoy traveling, photography and meeting new people, and have made the Boston area their home for the last 27 years. Dave collects electrical and fire alarm antiques and his wife collect non-technical antiques.

If You Have Questions for Dave

Dave Hatton is available to answer your questions on electrical and life safety codes.

Submit your questions to catherinej@bongarde.com. Dave will try his best to answer as many of your questions as possible. We'll publish your questions and Dave's answers in next Tuesday's SafetyXChange newsletter.

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