QTAD Q&A
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 129 No 1, 16 February, page no. 28
We’ve had lots of rain and my classroom smells like mould. What should we do?
Mould is a workplace health and safety (WHS) hazard. All workers have a duty to report hazards that may impact upon them or others. Formally report the smell and/or presence of mould in the OnePortal MyHR WHS reporting module. It is important that you let the business manager and the school’s work health and safety officer know. If your work group has a health and safety representative, report it to them too.
Exposure to mould can occur through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion. Individuals respond to mould differently. Adults and children with medical conditions such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions or who have low immunity may be more sensitive to mould. The presence of mould can trigger a range of responses, including headaches.
It is important to keep good records of WHS reports. Provide all relevant information, including how the presence of mould became evident. The smell may signal its presence before there are other visual signs. Don’t ignore such indicators.
Reporting mould can assist with facilities management, as moisture may be getting in through leaks in windows or through roof damage. In Queensland’s hot and humid weather, unmanaged mould will continue to grow. For further information, refer to the Department of Education fact sheet on Managing Mould.