4 Things Every Employer Should Do About Mold

When it comes to toxic mold in the work area. It is a conversation feared among employers and favored among lawyers. Not only employers should fear the word mold, but landlords and other building owners as well. As an employer, do you know how to handle mold-related lawsuits? As many lawsuits keep rising on the mold issue, you must know how to stay safe from it. Mold exposure makes people ill, and when it is not removed or sorted out, it can cause other health complications. Many employers have gone to court due to the issue of mold, and yet it is easy to avoid these mold lawsuits. Today, many people are more aware of mold and its negative effects, hence the legal claims are yet to mount. 

4 Things Every Employer Should Do About Mold

So, ensure you keep your workers safe, to ensure their work environment is mold-free. As you read on you will learn of 4 things every employer should know about mold. 

 

1. Check for signs of mold 

If your workers believe they are having mold exposure, the chances are they will not want to work anymore, and their productivity will decline. Also, they may end up filing worker’s compensation claims due to the effects of mold on their general well-being. Therefore, it is important to check for signs of mold or contact a mold inspection company to inspect your premises. It is vital to know that mold is present in every building in some quantity and form. 

So it is not uncommon or something new if it is found on your premises. Thus, checking for signs of mold is best. Since when mold spores concentrate in one area, they can become toxic to your workers. This will then affect their health, and those who are immune-compromised can even get permanent health effects. Some common symptoms of mold exposure are throat irritation, skin irritation, fatigue, respiratory complaints, among others. 

Therefore, if you have numerous employees complaining of such symptoms, it is time to check for signs of mold. Another common sign is moldy smells, and it is best to take action if you own the place or notify the owner of the building to address these issues. 

 

2. Look for the potential cause

What can you do as an employer to try to limit your legal liability, especially on the issue of mold? Many employers are stuck with this question and the next thing after checking for signs of mold, is to check for the potential cause of the mold. Where there are water and oxygen, it is a perfect environment for mold to grow. This does have to be a lot of water to convince you that there is mold in your building. Burst water pipes, one time leaks, and others that are similar to these are enough to create mold. 

However, when you repair them on time, you can control any mold growth. Some of the potential causes that you can check are using wet building materials, lack of building maintenance inside and outside of the building, poor building construction, plumbing mistakes, and excessive moisture and humidity, among others. If the building is yours, take prompt measures by getting a quick action plan. 

Even when it is not yours, you must contact the landlord so that he can act quickly, as mold spreads very easily and fast. Contact the professionals to assess the whole area, while you repair any source of water that is causing this mold problem. In case it is a large concentration of mold, the building will not only need fixing the source of the problem, but proper remediation and cleaning done to ensure the employees are safe when they return to work.

 

3. Guide your workers on the measures your taking 

Once you realize there is a mold issue. It is vital to notify the employees and also advise them on the steps that you are taking to deal with the problem. Since it can cause anxiety and great concern among your employees. Get a written explanation from the mold experts who will be handling the issue of how the employees will be protected as they solve the problem. 

In case you will need to relocate, ask your landlord for a clean space, or if it is your building consider relocation costs of your employees as well. Plus, you need to consider other costs like fixtures, repairs, investigations, cleaning of furniture and equipment, among other things. 

Because of the losses that you will incur, ensure that you give notice to your insurer and also ask for a reimbursing from the landlord. So, as you speak to your employees, ensure that you also consult your insurers and lawyers to know if your insurance policy includes mold claims. 

4. Know what to do to cover loses 

Finally, another thing that every employer should know is how they will cover any losses incurred. Firstly, it is important to check your insurance as mentioned earlier. If it excludes mold insurance, find out if you can buy mold coverage that will cover you in case of a possible mold infestation. If it includes mold issues in your premises, ensure as you renew your cover, you confirm that it is part of it. 

Follow up with your insurer immediately the notice has been offered, and even before the lawsuit if any is filed. Insurers help to hire experts who will help you to address the mold claims. What’s more, ensure that you ask for regular updates on the claims, and you can accompany them as they do observations and testing. Importantly, review your construction leases and contracts. 

Especially if you are renovating and constructing your space to add to the building to ensure that the contracts and subcontractors are liable for any construction defects, especially those that cause mold. Unfortunately, in most cases, there is no guarantee for protection on mold-related losses, but you can try some of these steps to help limit any potential legal liabilities.