Victoria
Victoria
Employee Training & Consultation
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Employers have a duty to provide training on mould hazards, safe cleaning methods, PPE use, and reporting procedures. They must also consult with employees and Health & Safety Representatives (HSRs) when planning and implementing control measures, fostering a cooperative approach to hazard management and ensuring that workers understand their roles and responsibilities
Record-Keeping and Documentation
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Employers must keep records of risk assessments, air quality test results, remediation actions, and health monitoring. Proper documentation not only demonstrates compliance with legislation but also aids ongoing risk management and continuous improvement of workplace health and safety practices.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Breaches of the OHS Act 2004 (Vic) can lead to severe penalties: • Corporations – Fines up to $1.8 million. • Individuals (e.g., directors, managers) – Fines up to $360,000 and/or up to 25 years imprisonment for the most serious offenses. WorkSafe Victoria enforces these penalties to ensure duty holders comply with their obligations.
Water Damage and Leak Prevention
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Key preventive measures for mould proliferation. Any water ingress (e.g., from a leaking pipe or roof) can trigger mould growth if not addressed within roughly 48 hours. Employers should promptly repair leaks, dry out water-damaged areas, and conduct regular inspections to catch and address issues early.
Stachybotrys Chartarum (“Black Mould”)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025A toxic mould species that thrives on water-damaged cellulose-based materials (e.g., drywall, carpet backing). Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health issues, making prompt and professional remediation critical. Employers must treat large areas of this mould (or any suspected toxic strain) with utmost caution and follow specialized cleanup protocols.
Dehumidifiers and Ventilation Controls
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Engineering controls used to manage indoor air quality. Dehumidifiers reduce moisture content in the air (ideal humidity is often cited as 30–50%), while proper ventilation (as per AS 1668.2) ensures continuous air exchange, reducing the likelihood of mould growth.
P2/N95 Respirators (Masks)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Personal protective equipment designed to filter out fine airborne particles, including mould spores. Workers involved in mould cleanup or remediation should wear these respirators, along with gloves, goggles, and protective clothing, to minimize the risk of inhalation or skin contact with mould.
Mould Remediation Procedures
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Processes for safely removing or cleaning mould-affected materials. Depending on the size and severity of the infestation: • Small (
Occupational Hygienist
Last Updated: 3 February 2025A professional specializing in the identification, evaluation, and control of workplace hazards. In the context of mould, occupational hygienists may perform air quality testing, assess the scope and severity of infestation, recommend remediation strategies, and advise on appropriate control measures (e.g., ventilation improvements or PPE requirements).
Risk Assessment for Mould
Last Updated: 3 February 2025The systematic evaluation of the potential health and safety risks posed by mould, typically considering factors like spore counts, toxicity of the mould strain, size of the affected area, and duration/frequency of worker exposure. Risk assessments often involve collecting air or surface samples, which may require the expertise of an occupational hygienist.
WorkSafe Victoria (Biological Hazards Guidance)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Publications and guidelines issued by WorkSafe Victoria that provide practical advice on identifying, assessing, and controlling biological hazards like mould. They often include steps for small-scale remediation, recommended PPE, and best-practice strategies for workplace inspections.
AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 (OHS Management Systems)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025An international standard adopted in Australia that establishes a framework for an occupational health and safety management system. It provides guidelines to systematically identify and control workplace hazards (including mould), set improvement objectives, and ensure ongoing compliance and risk reduction.
AS 1668.2-2012 (Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025An Australian Standard detailing requirements for mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning in buildings. Compliance can help reduce indoor humidity and moisture—key factors in mould prevention. Properly designed HVAC systems, in line with this standard, can significantly lower the risk of mould proliferation.
AS/NZS 2985:2009 (Laboratory Design and Construction)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025While primarily aimed at laboratories, this standard outlines design and construction requirements to control airborne contaminants. It can inform best practice in non-lab environments by highlighting features like proper ventilation, air filtration systems, and humidity controls that help prevent mould spore accumulation.
Health Monitoring
Last Updated: 3 February 2025A requirement under Part 4.2 of the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic) when there is a significant risk of adverse health effects from exposure to biological hazards. In cases involving mould, health monitoring might include regular medical check-ups or lung function tests for employees working in damp or high-exposure environments.
Hazard Identification and Risk Control
Last Updated: 3 February 2025The ongoing process of spotting potential sources of harm (e.g., water leaks leading to mould growth) and determining the degree of associated risk. Employers must then implement appropriate control measures based on the hierarchy of controls. This is mandated under Part 3.1 of the OHS Regulations 2017 (Vic).
Hierarchy of Controls
Last Updated: 3 February 2025A structured approach to controlling hazards, in descending order of effectiveness: 1. Elimination – Remove the hazard entirely (e.g., fix leaks and remove mould-infested materials). 2. Substitution – Replace the hazard with something less harmful (often less applicable for mould). 3. Engineering Controls – Modify the workplace to reduce exposure (e.g., improve ventilation). 4. Administrative...
Reasonably Practicable
Last Updated: 3 February 2025A legal concept under OHS law requiring employers to do what a reasonable person would do in the same situation to protect health and safety. This involves considering: 1. The likelihood of a hazard or risk eventuating 2. The degree of harm that would result if it did occur 3. What the person concerned knows,...
Biological Hazard (Mould)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Mould is treated as a biological hazard in the workplace. Its spores can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and exacerbate existing health conditions such as asthma. Prolonged exposure or exposure to toxic strains (e.g., Stachybotrys chartarum) can pose significant health risks, making effective identification and control measures essential.
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025Subsidiary regulations made under the OHS Act 2004. They provide specific requirements for managing various workplace hazards. Of particular relevance: • Part 3.1 (Hazard Identification and Risk Control) – Mould is classified as a biological hazard, necessitating systematic hazard identification and risk assessment. • Part 4.2 (Health Monitoring) – Requires employers to provide health monitoring...
Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
Last Updated: 3 February 2025The principal legislation governing workplace health and safety in Victoria. It outlines the legal responsibilities of employers, employees, and other duty holders. Key sections include: • Section 21 – Requires employers to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health, including risks posed by mould. • Section 23 –...