CHECK LIST FOR

QUALIFYING A MOLD CONTRACTOR

These are the important items to review, which may be necessary, when interviewing a potential mold abatement contractor:

Provide a Certificate of Mold Specific Insurance

Most “general liability” policies exclude mold. Mold Specific insurance should be state admitted, “Full Occurrence” (not “Claims Made”), and carry the highest AM Best rating possible. Very few companies will go to the expense to provide this high level of insurance.

Provide Mold Remediation Training Certificate

Proper training, certification and experience in Mold Remediation are essential for successful results. Ask for certification of mold remediation training, and for a list of past mold remediation clients. Trust your project only to qualified, experienced personnel.

Provide Asbestos Abatement License

Mold is very often associated with building materials containing asbestos, such as acoustical “popcorn” ceilings, ceiling tiles, drywall tape, and etc. The company and workers must be licensed to handle and remove these materials. Any illegal removal may result in the building owner and the contractor being found guilty of criminal offenses.

FED OSHA 1910.1001

Provide Lead Abatement Training Certificate

Mold remediation will often involve the removal of paints, etc., that contain lead. To avoid liability, your contractor must have the correct certifications to handle and remove these materials.

FED OSHA 1910.1000

Provide License to use Heat as a Disinfectant

Recent Medical Literature documents that bacteria lives synergistically with mold contamination, which may cause significant disease. The application of heat destroys bacteria in cracks, crevasses and voids, which are inaccessible to other forms of abatement. The patented Heat treatment also kills the mold, the insects which spread mold within structures, and is a desiccant (drying), which makes the area less conducive to mold, insect and bacterial growth.

Geyer, Michael,2002 “The Benefits of Heat to Clean Structures of Biological Contamination and Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Hirvonen,et al, M-R, 2002 “Bacterial strains from moldy building are highly potent inducers of inflammatory and cytotoxic effects”

Provide an Operator License from State Structural Pest Control Board

Recent research demonstrates that insects transport mold spores within structures, spreading mold to the areas of moisture that attract insects. For complete mold abatement, mold bearing insects must also be controlled. Contractors involved in pest control must be licensed by the State Structural Pest Control Board.

Abbott, Sean P.,2002 “Insects and other arthropods as agents of vector-dispersal in fungi”.

Certain wood destroying fungi are regulated by this board and, to avoid liability, you do not want to be found in violation by removing any regulated materials without certification. Certain

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fungicides are also regulated by this board and your contactor must be licensed to apply them during mold and/or fungus remediation.

California Structural Pest Control Act, June 2001

Your contractor should be able to provide or demonstrate the following:

Hazardous Waste Hauler Certificate

To transport materials, such as asbestos and lead, your contractor must be certified.

FED OSHA 1910.120

Material Safety Data Sheets

FED OSHA 1910.1200: CAC, Title 8, Section 3203-CA Injury and Illness Prevention Program

Equipment licenses for Jurisdiction

Certificate of Vehicle Insurance State DMV

Certificate of Workers Compensation Insurance

Employee Hazard Communication Program

CAC, Title 8, Section 3202-CA Injury and Illness Prevention Program

Employee Medical Surveillance Program

FED OSHA 1910.120

Respiratory Protection Plan

FED OSHA 1910.134

Illness and Injury Prevention Program

CAC, Title 8, Section 3202-CA Injury and Illness Prevention Program

If the contractor that you are considering cannot qualify under these minimum guidelines, do not risk your project to them.

Trust your project to Precision Environmental…we set the standards!

Provided as a service by

800 375-7786 Southern CA and US 800 350-0800 Northern CA

 2002 Precision Environmental, Inc.