Mould is a common issue around the world. However, there are some cities, or climates that have better conditions to harvest mould growth. Unfortunately Alberta and more specifically, Calgary and Edmonton are two cities that experience extremely cold winters and hot summers – perfect conditions for mould growth.

These cold winters and hot summers contribute to the creation a perfect environment for mould. When ice and frost are on your windows they create moisture that often seeps down your walls. With winter often lasting over four months this can lead to entire walls being warped with mould.

Cold conditions also cause issues with pipes. With cold weather pipes can burst or break and leak moisture into the home without you even noticing. This leakage can also create a perfect environment for mould. The best way to deal with moisture in your home or office is to have an air quality specialist investigate the quality of air to ensure you are not being exposed to mould. To read more of the article Calgary Home Inspectors: Why Mold Is More Likely to Occur in Calgary follow the link

It is hard to manage the unknown, so managers first must know the hazardous materials present in their departments and facilities, including quantities and locations.

Managers can achieve this goal through an audit of hazardous materials. Managers can start by having employees generate a list of chemicals purchased for use in the department, perform a walkthrough inspection of the department, and focus on storage areas, tool kits, and carts. Once inspectors have identified chemicals, managers can get material safety data sheets (MSDS) and review them to determine if the chemicals are hazardous.

This review should ensure:

• Labels clearly identify original product names or full chemical names and hazards
• Containers of non-hazardous substances, such as water, are labelled explicitly to avoid confusion
• Incompatible chemicals, including solids, are segregated by U.S. Department of Transportation hazard classes at a minimum
• All segregated chemicals — liquids — are kept in secondary containment
• No hazardous materials are stored next to or above sinks
• All chemical containers are capped and sealed, except when workers are adding or removing materials from them
• Flammable liquids, including flammable liquid wastes, are stored outside of a storage cabinet if more than 5-10 gallons
• Employees have completed hazard-communication training
• Full-size compressed-gas cylinders are chained or strapped in a one-third, two-thirds manner.

Managers also should identify chemicals in containers, including pipes, as well as chemicals generated during maintenance operations.

Organizations in various industries use hazardous materials regularly. With the use of hazardous materials comes the concern of proper storage of these materials. They need to be stored in a methodical manner in which management and staff alike are able to determine which materials are stored where, how long they have been there and what they are used for.

Above simply complying and meeting provincial or federal set regulations, management should keep track of all materials they have on site and specifically those that may present health risks to employees or customers if stored improperly. Basic ideas to achieve safety with hazardous materials are outlined in the article below and include ideas such as; labelling all containers, keeping all hazardous materials away from sinks or drains and have all employees educated in handling the materials. Understanding the importance of proper handling and care of hazardous materials is imperative to the health and safety of employees and customers.

To read the article and management tips on dealing with hazardous materials in the workplace, click the link below:

http://www.facilitiesnet.com/materialhandling/article/Properly-Identifying-Hazardous-Materials–9170

Did you know that over 250 different species of mould have been indentified in Canadian buildings? While not all of this mould is hazardous to your health, the majority does have a negative effect on your health and on the indoor air quality of your office, school or home.

Mould can be grown and harvested in a controlled manner that we can use to our advantage to fight off viruses, as is the case with the mould species penicillin. The more common case however, is mould that negatively impacts our health. This mould can be found within the walls of our offices, buildings and schools, it can be toxic and cause harm to everyone who is exposed to it. It is these types of mould everyone needs to be aware of and educated on.
The Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation recently released an article discussing several important areas of mould that you should understand. In the article are facts and information regarding the types of mould, what makes mould, how much mould is growing, when and how to seek professional help, why moulds are a concern, when it is a mould problem, how to tell if it’s mould and how to clean up small mould problems yourself. ASE Services works alongside contractors to ensure proper indoor air quality levels are met and to aid in suggestions regarding any necessary removal or further steps to deal with the issue.

The article also outlines steps to prevent mould and steps to mould-proof your home.

Mould and mildew are often discussed together. Why is this you ask? Mould and mildew are similar fungi that both spread in spores and thrive on moisture. They are similar in many ways however they are also very different.

In terms of color, mildew is typically gray or white and has a powdery or downy texture. The powdery mildew is the type you would find on flowers while the downy mildew is more commonly seen on agriculture products such as potatoes or grapes.

In comparison, the color of mould varies but it can be black, green, red, or blue. Mould often looks fuzzy or slimy and will eat through structural building materials such as wood. Mould also contains toxins called mycotoxins that may cause an allergic reaction or other illness in some people. As mentioned in previous blogs, symptoms of mould exposure may include headaches, asthma, and coughing. Irritation of the eyes and throat may also occur as a result of breathing mould toxins.

While mildew can often be removed with household cleaners, mould will continue to grow if it is not properly contained and removed. To ensure that you are not breathing in harmful mould toxins in your home or office have an indoor air quality inspection done. If you are concerned that your office may have a mould issue ASE Services does inspect large buildings in complexes.

Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that covers the internal organs in the body. With about 2000 diagnosed cases each year, it is not one of the most common forms of cancer, however it can be fatal. The primary cause of this cancer is exposure to asbestos. With 80% of cases involving those who have worked with or around asbestos, there is no confusion regarding the connection.

This statistic alone should encourage those working with asbestos to exercise proper safety procedures when dealing with the hazardous material. If you are employed in a position that requires you to work with or alongside asbestos, be sure that you have received the proper training to deal with the material. Short two day courses are offered by ASE Services to educate you on the proper handling and use of asbestos.

To learn more about mesothelioma cancer including the symptoms and diagnoses, click here.