I received this from UA Safe State
(University of Alabama in T-Town)
and I am passing it along to you 
Start-Up Safety Information

As restrictions on non-essential businesses and operations are eased, more companies will be entering “restart” mode.  Before you get to that point, now would a good time to begin assessing your facility’s safety and health readiness for resuming operations.  Through UA SafeState,  you can get free Health and Safety Consultations to help with your planning.  We can accommodate both virtual and on-site consultations, or a blended option.  Our on-site work plan is carried out with social distancing and work practices to protect you and us throughout the process. For more information on our free consultation services, visit our UA SafeState OSH consultation website or contact us when you’re ready.
 
When preparing for return to work:

• You can be certain that on-going distancing, hygiene, and protective wear restrictions will be needed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
• The strategic positioning of workers and the control of personnel traffic patterns to meet distancing requirements will present unique productivity and safety challenges.  
• Time, facilities, and supplies needed to meet personal hygiene requirements must be coupled with clearly communicated policies and training to help ensure full staff cooperation.
• It’s important for workers to understand the differences between traditional forms of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other types of “protective” wear (i.e., face masks and similar coverings) which offer much less personal protection than is often assumed.

In short, there’s a lot of advance planning, set-up, and training needed to re-design and re-inhabit our workplaces.  Careful surveillance of the work process will be needed, along with some skilled communications to address the “people” issues.  These new arrangements will be frustrating for most everyone, so it’s important that top management lead the way with positive messaging about the new changes.  


Start-Up Resources:

• Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility (CDC)
• Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 (WHO) 
• Guidance on Preparing Workplace for COVID-19 (OSHA) 
• Prevent Worker Exposure to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (OSHA)
• OSHA COVID-19
• Understanding the Difference between Surgical Mask and Respirators (CDC)
• Use of Respirators, Facemasks, and Cloth Face Coverings in the Food and Agriculture Sector During Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic (U.S. Food and Drug)

COVID-19 Return to Work Check List (Sample)

FACILITY PREPARATION

• Post signs to reinforce good hand hygiene.
• Post signs about cough and sneeze etiquette.
• Mark six feet distances in common areas; halls, entrances, locker rooms, break rooms, etc.
• Supply hand sanitizer at doorways.
• Post visitor expectations signs.
• Provide face covering for visitors that arrive unprepared.
• Provide non-contact thermometers at entries.
• Update visitor and contractor sign in logs to include health statement for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Provide contractor stickers or visitor badges that indicate they meet the health screening requirements.
• Supply disinfectant in common areas.
• Post conference and training rooms occupancy limits (50% of fire code or a maximum of 10 people, whichever is fewer). If possible, mark off or remove tables and chairs that must not be occupied.
• Flush water systems, including ice machines, that have not been regularly used to avoid potential Legionella bacteria exposure.
• Evaluate machining oil cleanliness prior to starting up equipment and flush/change out as necessary.
• Talk to HVAC contractor to comply with MERV rating of ventilation filters. Filter ratings of MERV 13 or greater can capture respiratory droplets. Filter ratings of 17 or greater can capture viruses.
• Install barriers between workstations if six feet cannot be maintained.

PROCEDURE UPDATES

• Schedule office/administrative staff to rotate work from home and in office to maintain six feet between occupied workspaces.
• Stagger department start times to minimize entrance and locker room occupancy.
• Implement temperature checks upon arrival at work.
• Stagger break and lunch times to minimize break room occupancy.
• Suspend hot desking practices.
• Assign daily disinfection of desks and workstations to appropriate personnel and update cleaning procedures.
• Establish appointments for customers and visitors. Consider social distancing limitations when determining how many visitors may be on site at any given time.
• Develop standard communication content for customers and visitors.
• Implement customer and visitor procedure for communication of expectations upon confirmation of appointments. Update PPE assessments to determine adequacy or reduce PPE usage.
• Establish relationship/contract with cleaning/sanitizing group, prior to needing services.
• Update incident/injury reporting procedure to include workplace exposure to COVID-19 per OSHA’s guidelines issued 4/10/2020.
• Update infectious control plan per OSHA guidance.
• Train staff on proper donning/doffing, storage and care of cloth face coverings.
• Train staff on removing soiled gloves.
• Train staff on symptom reporting procedures.
• Remind/notify staff of requirement to stay home if ill.
• Consult HR/Legal about personnel policy changes.
• Limit events to less than10 people in a space that can accommodate social distancing.
• Evaluate travel policies.

DAILY PROCEDURE UPDATES

• Implement employee and visitor protocol: face coverings, temperature checks, exposure/symptom questions. Upon arrival, check temperatures and ask visitors:
  • Are you feeling feverish today?
  • Are you experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
  • Have you developed a cough?
  • Are you experiencing flu-like body aches?
• Disinfection of common areas and high touch areas
• Disinfection of shared workspaces between shifts or individual users.

IN EVENT OF EXPOSURE OR SYMPTOMS

• Immediately isolate and seek medical care for individual with symptoms.
• Report suspected COVID-19 cases or exposures to the local health department.
• Arrange for deep sanitation of potentially affected areas.
  
  

NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES - FACE COVERING MASKS (Sample)


Dear Valued Employees:


As you know, the country is currently taking measures to respond to COVID-19. The Company is also considering methods to protect our employees following guidance from the CDC and other governmental authorities. The Company believes that its response is compliant. While not required to provide any type of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for COVID-19, the Company has decided to provide bandana type face covering masks to employees for voluntary personal use. The masks are not respirators but the Company is informed by the manufacturer that they may provide some protection to employees from exposure to airborne droplets of the virus. The following list of dos and don’ts is being provided to you if you decide to use one the masks. If you have any questions concerning the masks, please contact _____________________. The Company hopes that the masks will provide some protection to employees. If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) or any other symptoms of illness, please contact your Supervisor immediately or Human Resources.


DOS
• Do - Use it to completely cover your nose and mouth
• Do - Read the directions provided to you on use of the mask
• Do - Put it on properly and adjust it as necessary throughout the day
• Do - Wash your hands and face after removing the mask before touching your face
• Do - Keep it clean
• Do - Keep it away from running machinery or equipment that could entangle the mask
• Do - Keep it on your person when you are not using it
• Do - Request a new one if it becomes damaged or in any way unsanitary.


DON’TS
• Don’t - Let it obstruct your vision
• Don’t - Wear it if it causes any difficulty in your ability to breathe
• Don’t - Wear it if it causes your safety glasses or reading glasses to fog up and impair your vision
• Don’t - Let it hang down around your neck
• Don’t - Lay it on a surface where it may contaminate the surface or lay it on a surface that may already be contaminated
• Don’t - Wear it where it may come in contact with running machinery or create a hazard while performing your work
• Don’t - Take it home, dispose of it at the workplace
• Don’t - Use it if it is damaged in any way

UASafeState, College of Continuing Studies, 624 Paul W. Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487


Of course as your ally, your go-to-source for healthy homes and all things IAQ, you can call us at 205-252-9506

• Ask us about sanitation of your office.
• Cleaning at your house,
• Air purifiers and dehumidifiers personally tested and recommended.
• Mold inspections, removal and prevention strategies.

#Mildude (aka ) Lee Ramey









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HOW TO DETECT MOLD GROWTH EARLY JUST BY ITS SMELL
 One of the most mischievous qualities possessed by mold is its propensity of hiding in closed, dark place, way out of sight. It can be commonly found hidden in the nooks and crannies of the home, where most people won’t bother to inspect unless when absolutely necessary.
This is one of the reasons why most people fail to see it in its early stage and quickly fix the mess. Before its effects become more obvious to the visible eyes, it is usually after it has wreaked a lot of havoc and made an ugly mess that the homeowner now has to clean up.
For this reason, we have to look beyond looking and employ another powerful sense we possess – the sense of smelling. While mold loves to hide from our eyes, fortunately for us all, it can’t hide its smell from our nostrils. Its smell is enough of a sign to inform us of its infestation, and this might be all you need to save your building from a major structural damage.
So, the question is, how does mold smell like? How can we recognize the smell and swing into action in time?
The first thing to note is that there are many ways to describe the smell. So, trying to describe the smell in one word will not be so easy or accurate. Let us look at a few descriptions that you could work with.
 
The Mold Smells In A Number Of Ways
If you have ever been to the forest, especially if it is wet, you would note that there is a particular smell in the air that you can’t shake off. This smell, which is damp, humid, earthy and loamy, can be smelt whenever you walk by a decaying wood.
Do you know that smell? That is the closest way to describe a mold smell. You would smell something similar when you pass decaying leaves as well. The difference, though, is that it would smell less stuffy since it is outside and there is more fresh air in the forest. The same can’t be said for the indoors.
Other words that some people have used when describing it are “wet” and “dank” – the kind of smell you would get from your dirty socks when they are wet. Smelling this while taking your socks to the laundry for a wash is one thing. When that smell starts coming from unlikely places, like the kitchen cabinet, something is definitely amiss.
Another way others have described the smell is that it smells aged or old. This is similar to the dusty, powdery and nose-tinkling smell you’ll get when you sniff through an old book you retrieved from an abandoned or poorly-treated library.
You could find this particular smell in places like your attic or storage room if it has been infested with mold. This will be more likely if you have things like unused books, cardboard box and other paper items abandoned there. In this case, you won’t find the smell wet and damp, but dry and dusty.
Apart from “old”, another description for how mold smells is “stale”. This will explain why you would find mold on your stale bread.
There is another one, and this is potentially toxic and dangerous, is the rotten, pungent smell. This can sometimes be detected from slimy mold. In fact, some people describe it as “cat urine smell”. While the name sounds funny, its effects are not. If you notice this smell, don’t sniff. It is very likely a toxic mold. It is recommended you call the professionals immediately.
So, there we have it – a number of varying smells from mold. Why is this so?
There is a volatile substance released by mold into the air. This substance is known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC). When MVOC is released, it quickly fills up the air because of its high rate of diffusion. Because MVOCs vary in species, they possess varying smells as well.
The environment also seems to play a role in the creation of the mold smell. Things like the substrate in which the mold resides, the room temperature, the water source, sunlight, and humidity play a role in the way the mold smells.
Another factor that may play a role is the interaction by other microorganisms around the mold. If another microorganism present around the mold produces substances which interact with the volatile compound produced by the mold, this may make a difference in the mold smell. This is one of the reasons why it can be hard trying to define the smell of the mold in exact words.
 
They Don’t Always Smell
While mold has been known to smell, not all molds actually smell. This has to do with the substance we mentioned earlier known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC)
There are molds that do not produce MVOC. Besides, there are conditions that make even molds that normally produce MVOC to stop. For example, for MVOC-producing molds to release the gas effectively, the temperature and the humidity have to be right. The condition has to be suitable for the production of the substance.
Because of this, it is possible to have a mold problem without actually smelling anything.
 
Effects Of Mold Smell On You
While the mold smell can quickly help you identify the growth of mold in your house, the smell itself is not always dangerous. The exception will be some molds known to produce a toxic chemical known as mycotoxin.
However, one thing the mold smell might suggest is that there is a high likelihood that there are spores in the air. These spores which are released into the air by the mold can be much more hazardous to your health than the smell itself.
There are cases where some people are hypersensitive to the smell. Such people may experience watery eyes, dizziness, or sneezing when exposed to it. There have even been cases of migraine and some neurological symptoms.
As you would expect, the greatest harms come directly from the mold itself. Side effects can include allergic reactions, sore throat, pneumonia, digestive problems and even skin inflammation.
Because of how stuffy it can feel, people who live in mold-infested houses may feel better outside the home than inside. This is usually because the mold spores level is usually higher indoors than outdoors. It is easy for such people to dismiss it as nothing serious; not knowing it is the mold in action.
This can be useful for you in some cases. The nose is known to adapt to a smell it has been exposed to for a long period. Therefore, people who stay indoors mostly may have got used to the smell, thereby failing to note the signs.
For such people, spending some time outside in the fresh air may be all they need to detect the smell afterward.
 
Don’t Follow The Smell
One of the first lines of thought that people have when they detect the mold smell is to sniff around and follow the smell. This is not recommended for a good reason. You see, while you may detect the presence of mold by smell, you can’t detect its toxicity.
If you want to sniff around it is best you get a professional mask for the job. An N95 mask is an excellent example. This mask can help you filter the spores while trying to identify the area where the smell is strongest.
You should bring a flashlight along to inspect dark corners as well. As stated earlier, mold loves to hide in dark, humid places. You may find them behind your kitchen cabinet or even under the carpet. Check around the shower or sinks.
Look inside your store and crawlspaces. If there is a place where you left unused books and the likes, make sure you check those places as well. Just note that mold will love it if it is dark, moist and warm.
 
Removing The Mold
When the mold is detected, the next thing is to remove it. It is recommended to call a professional mold remediation company, since you may not know how toxic it is. In case you want to remove it yourself, make sure you get the right protective gear.
After removing the mold, please note that the smell may persist. This can be due to how much the smell had been able to permeate other items in the building, from furniture to books. In that case, you may sprinkle some talcum powder on them overnight and clean off the excess talc the next day.
Drying them in the sunlight may also help. Apart from sunlight, what the building also needs is a lot of fresh air. Allow adequate ventilation into the building to push out the stuffy air and bring in new ones. You can also use air freshener to get rid of the smell.
On a last note, please note that getting rid of the mold smell is not the same as getting rid of the source of the mold. Something started the growth of mold in the first place, and that has to be fixed to get a lasting result. This can be tough to identify and fix, and that is where a professional mold remediation company comes in.
At Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC, we won’t just help you inspect and fix the mold, we help you identify its source and prevent its growth in the future. We believe in quality services and take the safety of your family seriously. Please, feel free to contact us today at:
 
Mold and Mildew Solutions LLC
908 13th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203
​205-252-9506

Black Mold is a scary word when it comes to your space. If you have mold in the interior of your home, basement or crawlspace you should be concerned.

Mold is naturally in our environment. Normally, it's not harmful. But when in the home or office, you should always take certain precautions.

For large amounts of mold, this is something left to the experts due to health concerns. When you see mold on the outside on surfaces you should hire a professional to see if mold is in the walls or is a bigger deal than it appears to the untrained eye.
Some mold can be easily cleaned up yourself, but heavy contamination is another story. 
Mold can be dangerous.. When you see it in your home or office, make sure you protect your family.

This is just a friendly consumer message from your certified mold inspection and remediation company
​Mold & Mildew Solutions.
908 13th St N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-252-9506
www.alabamamold.com
moldmildewsolutions@gmail.com
​

World Lung Cancer Day
August 1, 2019

Lung cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers worldwide, accounting for nearly one in four deaths from cancer each year. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Indoor Environments Division is focused on two important causes of lung cancer that may be present in indoor air: radon and secondhand smoke.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers, according to EPA estimates. Overall, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking). Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States every year, and approximately 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. The only way to know how much radon may be present in your indoor air is to test for it. (We can test that for you.)

The third-leading cause of lung cancer is secondhand smoke, which is estimated to be responsible for more than 7,300 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the United States every year. Exposure to secondhand smoke also can have serious consequences for the health of children, including the triggering of asthma attacks.
-from the EPA website

We at Mold and Mildew Solutions are dedicated to maintaining your healthy Indoor Air environment. Give us a call if you have any concerns about what your are breathing. 205-252-9506____ www.Alabamamold.com

Would you believe it?!
What started as a simple family owned business on an ordinary day in June 1984, is 35 years already! When Lee Ramey (the father) started Ramey Cleaning with only $8, a bucket and a squeegee, the mission was simple – we are going to help families in Birmingham maintain a cleaner healthier household through textiles cleaning and restoration.
Today, Ramey Cleaning Ind d/b/a To the Rescue! has become a household name that delivers premium cleaning and restoration solutions. It is truly no wonder that we have made it into the hearts of many families in Birmingham.
Over the decades, we have stayed true to this mission, and chosen the safest and most effective methods that help deliver the results our clients couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. Over the years we have keep an eye on the latest trends and seen which work and which don’t. Sometimes the old fashion way is still the best.
You know all those “impossible” carpet and rug issues? The ones that are usually “irresolvable” and permanent? We many times have the answer! What else would you expect from a company that is always at the cutting edge of the cleaning and restoration industry?
We are that dedicated.
Plus, we have the goods to back this up. All our technicians receive continual training, and most are IICRC Certified. But, even with our expertise, we are committed to continuing education. We never stop learning.
Now Mike Ramey (the son), ((with Candace’s (the daughter) support)), is  carrying on the traditions as a family owned company, we treat all our clients as family. Our staff, most of which have been with us for years, all respect your privacy and your property. We are always careful to keep your precious home pristine, and  in top condition health-wise.
Whether you are calling us for your carpet cleaning, rug cleaning, upholstery and furniture cleaning, or water and flood damage, mold removal, air purifiers, etc., you can be assured that all the products we use have been researched, specific for the task, and EPA registered.
If you find all these mind-blowing, wait until you find out that our prices are reasonable and actually  the best deal for the level of quality that is delivered. Why wouldn’t it be? We aren’t just a cleaning and restoration business. We are family, and we want to say THANK YOU for being part of this modest endeavor.
Avail yourself of the many various services we can provide, since you already trust us, it only makes sense. As customers age, we find that we are working for several generations in the same family. As some move out of our area, we find that occasionally we need more people to know about our great service. So, we are only saying, that if you have a friend, or co-worker that needs our specialized, personalized, friendly services we provide, Don’t Keep Us a Secret!
To the next 35 years!
The Ramey’s
To the Rescue! 205-252-5326

Mysterious Mustiness
 
It’s easy to know where musty or moldy odors are coming from after you have suffered from a water damage, which happens from a broken pipe, overflowing toilet or flooding from rainwater, left the laundry in the washer over a vacation to mention a few.
 
But what do you do when you notice a mysterious “musty” odor in your home? Nothing is broken. There was no big storm. The sump pump is chugging away like normal.
 
Mysterious musty odors can be caused by a variety of situations. Figuring out where they are coming from and remediating them is the challenge.
 
What are some common causes?
 
Crawlspaces- The earth was evaporating moisture up through the ground where your house now sits for millions-billions of years. So, look what you have done… you set your home where the moisture is still wanting to come up! Your foundation has in effect made a funnel that now directs that moisture into your home.  If the water intrusion is minimal, you might not even know it is happening, until your nose knows… detecting that mysterious musty odor. We offer free Crawlspace estimates.
 
Leaky drains are another cause of musty odors. If the leak is very slow, water can drip, drip, drip… and over time cause damage under sinks. You don’t notice it because it’s hidden, and the amount of water is contained in a small area. But you start to notice the smell, that mysterious mustiness that you are determined to eradicate. We offer reasonably priced Moisture Inspections,
 
Severe condensation on windows is easy to see but often homeowners don’t appreciate the damage potential. This odor-causing issue is caused by excessive moisture in the home, especially in the winter when windows draw the moisture onto cold surfaces. The moisture itself isn’t the problem. The problem is when the moisture moves down into the window sills and any natural woodwork or even wall interiors get wet and create that mysterious musty odor.
 
What can you do? Do an inspection. Look at all areas in your home that water can intrude or accumulate. One aid we provide is a book That Lee wrote called “Mold (does not have to be) a Scary Subject” Go to www.freemoldbook.com   for your digital copy, or available on Amazon.
 If you cannot figure it out, Call Us. We  have the equipment to do it right, with moisture meters and special cameras that detect moisture. Be smart. Give us a call. 205-252-9506