MRS Health and Safety Considerations in Mold Remediation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard most directly governs worker exposure to mold during remediation activities?
- 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) (Correct answer)
- 29 CFR 1910.1000 (Air Contaminants)
- 29 CFR 1910.120 (Hazardous Waste Operations)
- 29 CFR 1910.147 (Lockout/Tagout)
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134 governs respiratory protection programs, which are central to protecting workers from airborne mold spores.
Question 2: A worker develops flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, and fever after remediating a heavily contaminated basement. These symptoms are most consistent with:
- Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
- Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) (Correct answer)
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Correct answer: Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS)
Organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS) presents with flu-like symptoms after heavy dust or mold exposure and is caused by inhaling large quantities of microbial agents.
Question 3: What is the minimum recommended air changes per hour (ACH) in a mold remediation containment zone during active work?
- 2 ACH
- 4 ACH
- 6 ACH (Correct answer)
- 12 ACH
Correct answer: 6 ACH
A minimum of 6 air changes per hour is recommended in the containment area to maintain negative pressure and reduce airborne spore concentrations.
Question 4: When should a fit test for a tight-fitting respirator be performed?
- Only before the first use ever
- Annually and whenever the worker's physical condition changes (Correct answer)
- Every five years per OSHA requirements
- Only when the worker requests it
Correct answer: Annually and whenever the worker's physical condition changes
OSHA 1910.134 requires fit testing annually and whenever facial changes occur that could affect the seal, such as significant weight change or dental work.
Question 5: Which of the following correctly describes the donning order for PPE prior to entering a mold remediation containment area?
- Gloves, coverall, respirator, eye protection
- Coverall, respirator, eye protection, gloves (Correct answer)
- Respirator, coverall, eye protection, gloves
- Eye protection, gloves, coverall, respirator
Correct answer: Coverall, respirator, eye protection, gloves
Donning begins with the coverall (body protection first), then respirator, then eye protection, and finally gloves to prevent contaminating the respiratory and eye protection.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of establishing a decontamination anteroom during large-scale mold remediation?
- To store tools and equipment between shifts
- To prevent cross-contamination between the work area and clean zones (Correct answer)
- To serve as a break room for workers
- To house air filtration equipment
Correct answer: To prevent cross-contamination between the work area and clean zones
The decontamination anteroom provides a buffer zone where workers can remove and decontaminate PPE without spreading mold spores to clean areas.
Question 7: A pregnant worker is assigned to a Level III mold remediation project. The most appropriate action is to:
- Allow her to work with a full-face respirator instead of a half-face
- Reassign her to duties outside the contaminated area (Correct answer)
- Have her wear double gloves and proceed normally
- Limit her shifts to four hours per day in the containment zone
Correct answer: Reassign her to duties outside the contaminated area
Pregnant workers should be reassigned to non-exposure tasks because mycotoxins and heavy mold exposure may pose risks to fetal development.
MRS Health and Safety Considerations in Mold Remediation 2
Which OSHA standard most directly governs worker exposure to mold during remediation activities?