The Restoration Roundup is a regular feature here on www.randrmagonline.com meant to help keep you abreast of headlines and news affected the restoration and remediation industry. You won't find it in your print or digital issue, so keep a close eye on our web-exclusive content!

Massachusetts School to Pay $40,000 Fine After Mold, Asbestos Discovery in Kindergarten Class
Following the discovery of asbestos and mold in a Maynard kindergarten class, the school's district has been ordered to pay a hefty fine of more than $40,000 by Massachusetts officials. The kindergarten wing of Green Meadow Elementary School was temporarily closed earlier this month after asbestos and mold were found in the ceiling. The health of the kindergarten students affected by the dangerous discovery was enough to warrant a fine of $42,500 from the state’s Department of Labor Services.

OSHA Has Answers for Silica Rule FAQs
Ever since the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) began enforcing its respirable crystalline silica standard for general industry in June 2018, employers have had questions about it. On Jan. 23, OSHA published a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and answers developed in consultation with industry and union stakeholders.

Report: Air Quality on Cruise Ships Could Harm Your Health
Cruise ships generate high levels of air pollution that could endanger the health of passengers, staff and port communities, according to an undercover report. On the decks of the four Carnival Corp. cruise ships studied over a two-year period, concentrations of particulate matter measured were "comparable to concentrations measured in polluted cities, including Beijing and Santiago," according to Ryan Kennedy, author of the report and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

NIOSH Reopens Comment Period on Fentanyl-Protective Products in PPE Database
NIOSH has reopened the comment period for its invitation to manufacturers to take part in an expansion of the PPE-Info database by adding products that protect against fentanyl exposure. Materials related to the expansion and the NIOSH notice are available at https://www.regulations.gov at docket number CDC-2018-0085.

NIOSH Releases Resources on Dampness and Mold Assessment
NIOSH recently introduced checklists to help employers assess damp areas and identify mold. The Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool has two versions – one for general buildings and one for schools – as well as a four-step assessment cycle. The resources include checklists and instructions to guide users through assessing rooms for dampness and mold, and then identifying the sources.