Health risks at work, how to handle?

What do you do if you suspect a health risk at your place of employment and the place you work for brushes it off? I think I have black mold growing in my classroom.

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

Wow, I wish I knew how to advise you on this. Especially that you are PG!

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

I would write a letter to the superintendent

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

I have had mold grow in my classroom several times. It is very upsetting. I complained first to the custoidal staff, so they knew I was aware of it. I then took it to my administrator. My carpets were removed and the mold was cleaned up. But it seems to happen to me each year, along with termite invasions each spring. Please act on it, it is very unhealthy to breathe it in.

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

Unfortunately, I have no one higher to complain to since we are a small private school. I had a HUGE leak from a burst pipe at the end of last school year, and it soaked my entire carpet in my classroom, and they just let it sit there. Now there is a moldy stain on the carpet that I was told to "not worry about". My room is the hottest room in the entire school. SO hot that I have to wear tank tops to school in the winter. I've BEGGED them to lower the heat, and they claim there's no way to. I have no window to the outside, just glass panels that look out on the hallway, so there's not even anyway to get fresh air in there. I have to figure a rational way to get through to the head of my school that this is a REAL problem and not just something to be ignored. It's just so frustrating.

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

what about asking for a dehumidfier for the room?

if no one in the "higher ups" is willing to help..maybe you need to get your dr to write something due to your PG or contact the health dept.

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

Do the schools go by some health code, like medical offices do- OSHA, maybe you can call them and ask them what to do, its worth a shot.

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

definately make a report to OSHA!

Re: Health risks at work, how to handle?

My big fear is of losing my job since it is a small school of less than 30 teachers, and we have nothing like tenure or anything like that. I decided to get the school's nurse involved. She made a comment as to how unhealthy my classroom is, especially because I am pregnant. I asked her if she would help me try and resolve this, and she said absolutely because she is employed by the district, not by our small school, so she has no consequences that she can suffer. I will keep everyone updated. Thanks for the advice.