dang mold in my workplace...

[melnjones]

I work in a dog grooming salon. Was out of my store for 6 weeks working in other stores, came back and the mold problem in the bathing room is worse than ever. By the second day the nose bleeds were back, by the third day (today) starting to break out in hives, one at a time. Could feel it in my lungs and sinuses the very first day back, can hear it in my voice. My new manager doesn't seem to understand that getting rid of the mold has to be a priority or else my health will seriously suffer. I did some major cleaning today when i had some freetime at work but only had some spray that is intended for mildew (against our safety policy to use bleach in the salon) and due to how the room has been rearranged there are some spots where I know there is mold that I cannot reach. I expressed again my concern to my boss of my mold allergy and she told me I could wear a face mask. Grr...I don't want to make an enemy out of my new boss, especially in a work situation where I don't feel I have a lot of allies to begin with, but it's seriously making me sick. Before I left for a month and a half I was typically the only one doing the cleaning that helped control the mold to begin with, and it looks like I may end up being the only one again except now it has been neglected for 6 weeks. My boss acts like if it smells better, it's good enough. What do I do? I can't quit, and district management told me I couldn't transfer to another store a few weeks ago.

[blondie58]

1. mold is a horrible allergant

have you thought about contacting OSHA or EPA? I don't know what kind of workplaces they cover, but it seems to me that someone would be interested in protecting the workers health. Good luck- keep us posted.

[mopinko]

2. or local health dept?

people need to take mold more seriously. it isn't just you. i would think that that kind of a smell would be bad for business, too.

[pnwmom]

3. See is your state has an OSHA agency.

Occupational safety and health.

If they do, call them and ask for advice.

[elleng]

4. It can be expensive to remove,

but may be required by laws; we've just spent $$$ so we can sell house, where 'small' amount was found.

http://www.toxic-black-mold-info.com/moldclean.htm

http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/home/ae1202w.htm

[Samurai_Writer]

5. That's a health code violation

I'd put in an anonymous tip to the city or county health department. Black mold can kill, your boss is an idiot if she doesn't want to take care of the problem.