This guidance is to provide a practical checklist when encountering mould on your own or other premises, for instance when undertaking off site record surveys. It covers practical steps to identify mould and how to safely manage the contaminated material and non-active mould can vary enormously in appearance. The images illustrating this guidance are not definitive representations of these states but are instances where activity level was identifiable. Appearance in other collections will certainly vary.
Preparing for an investigation safely
Mould is a health hazard and exposure to mould can cause allergic reactions that include, but are not limited to, a runny nose, itchy watery eyes, skin rashes, and aggravation of asthma. In any circumstances where the presence of mould is suspected human health and safety must be prioritised.
Employers have the responsibility to keep staff safe in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. Where mould is suspected, Personal Protective Equipment (PEE) should be worn at all times.
This should include:
- Disposable gloves – size-appropriate, nitrile or vinyl, compliant with EN ISO 420 and EN ISO 374-2, 3 and 5 specifications
- 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 and sleeve protectors, to protect the users’ clothing and to limit the possibility of cross-contamination to other areas of the collection
A more detailed list of PPE and document cleaning tools and equipment recommended for handling non-active mould can be found in section 4 on this page: Recommended equipment for handling non-active mould.
Mould action checklist
Active or inactive?
The first step is to determine whether the mould is active or inactive. To identify active mould, the following characteristics may indicate it is actively growing.
- Is there an earthy or musty smell present in the housing and/or the storage location?
- Does material feel damp to the touch?
- Is there visible growth that looks fluffy and/or smears when touched?
Survey the collection
Where mould is suspected, it is good practice to keep a record of your findings. During investigations, document storage locations, inventory/reference numbers, formats, materials, and extent of damage. Take reference images to maintain an accurate record of condition prior to treatment, and/or inform future checks.
- Is it limited to a few items, or does it extend throughout the collection?
- Is housing/boxing affected?
- What percentage of the total collection is affected?
- Does it affect one or multiple storage locations?
- Is it limited to the collection, or does it extend to the building itself?
Next steps
Things to consider when preparing to tackle a mould outbreak within your collection:
- Have all the appropriate precautions been taken to protect people and to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations?
- If the infestation is active, no remediation should be undertaken until the affected material has been dried and the mould deactivated.
- To what extent is the collection damaged? Is there loss of information? How much is recoverable? Is it worth proceeding with remediation?
- Is the outbreak extensive? Is this something that can be tackled with current facilities and/or staffing levels, or will professional assistance with remediation need to be sought?
- Is there other damage to the material which might be mistaken for mould? For example, foxing on paper arising from metal inclusions during manufacturing process usually in the form of reddish-brown spots.
Recommended equipment for handling non-active mould
The following equipment is recommended for use with material affected by non-active mould.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Blue nitrile gloves
To provide essential barrier protection for the hands, limiting the risk of transfer of mould to skin/eyes/nose/mouth, and reduce the risk of cross-contamination with other collection material. Relevant standards are: EN ISO 420 and EN ISO 374-2, 3 and 5.
Particle masks – FFP2 or 3
FFP markings indicate the level of protection a mask provides. The higher the number, the better the protection. An FFP3 mask is advisable when working mould spores. Masks should comply with EN 149: 2001.
This Health and Safety Executive article goes into more detail on disposable dust masks.
Sleeve protectors and disposable aprons
To limit the risk of transfer of mould to own clothing and of cross-contamination with other collection material.
Soft ear plugs and/or ear defenders
To protect hearing of the operator during use of the vacuum cleaner.
Document cleaning tools and equipment
HEPA filtered museum vac
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaner – for safe removal of non-active mould from affected collection material.
Replacement HEPA filter
Closed filters for the above vacuum cleaner – these ensure particulates are contained and reduce the risk of cross-contamination and inhalation.
Museum vac mini tool kit
Made for use with the museum vac – a range of small tools useful for cleaning composite objects (i.e. volumes).
Mesh
To provide a protective barrier when vacuuming non-active mould from the surface of flat vulnerable/damaged collection material.
Goat hair L-shaped brush and/or soft hog hair L-shaped brush
Soft-bristled brushes for gentle removal of non-active mould deposits from the surface of collection material.
Goat hair vac brush
Soft-bristled vacuum tools for cleaning collection materials with large surface areas.
Glass paper weights
For weighting and positioning documents during vacuuming, these weights can be cleaned easily, which reduces the risk of cross-contamination.
Snake weights
Also known as ‘curtain weights’ – these provide gentle and easily-adjustable weight for vulnerable/damaged collection material.