When working with collections where mould growth is suspected, the health and safety of staff is paramount and must be prioritised.
To ensure that those handling affected collection material are protected from the health risks mould poses, and in line with COSHH regulations 2002, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times. This should include:
- Disposable gloves – size-appropriate, nitrile or vinyl
- Disposable particle filtering masks – FFP 2 or 3, compliant with ‘BS EN 149:2001 Filtering half masks to protect against particles’ and fitted in line with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance
- Eye protection, compliant with ‘EN 166:2002 Personal eye protection’ specifications
- Disposable aprons, to protect the users’ clothing and to limit the likelihood of cross-contamination to other areas of the collection
All disposable PPE that has been in contact with mould-affected material should be bagged separately for disposal, and equipment cleaned thoroughly with hot water and dish detergent. Good hand hygiene should always be practiced after contact with mould-affected material.
For more detailed information on PPE and health and safety, please refer to [hyperlink to Risk Management and H&S pages]