Experience Files

One of the most frequent questions I hear is, "Should I call an industrial hygienist (IH) for pre-testing and protocol creation on every mold project?" The answer isn't always straightforward, but often, it's in your best interest to involve an IH.

Before deciding to proceed without an IH, ask yourself these crucial questions:

1. Is the mold not visible? If you detect a musty odor but can't see the mold, an IH is essential for investigation and determining the source and extent of growth.

2. Were the structural components dry during your inspection? If everything is dry, it becomes incredibly challenging for a restoration contractor to accurately determine the full extent of mold growth. In this scenario, bringing in an IH to investigate is a smart move.

3. Does the damage appear to be caused by widespread condensation issues, rather than a clear covered peril like a burst pipe? Involving an IH here is highly recommended. The amount of demolition needed to ensure all contamination is removed from condensation issues can be extensive, making the cost of not hiring an IH for preliminary testing and protocol generation far outweigh any perceived savings.

However, if the mold is clearly visible and directly associated with a recent water leak, and you can distinctly see where the water migration line ends with the mold growth contained within that area, you might be able to manage the remediation without an IH to prepare the initial protocol.

Important Distinction: This guidance applies only to the determination of whether an IH is needed for the initial remediation protocol. You should have every project you remediate tested by a third-party IH for clearance. Without independent clearance testing, you're essentially just suggesting "this is good enough," which carries significant risk.

A critical note: This discussion does not account for the necessity of asbestos or lead-based paint testing, which are separate serious considerations.

And for those who are doing their own clearance testing: I highly recommend you reconsider this practice immediately. It represents a massive conflict of interest and will likely expose your company to tremendous liability.

Yes, referring an IH to your client does increase the overall project cost and can eat into the mold coverage cap. However, consider the immense benefits: you are greatly reducing your liability and building a valuable relationship with an IH in your market. IHs often prioritize working with contractors who provide them with referrals, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.