Product Overview

Summary: This Mould and Fungi Inspection Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, defensible process for identifying, assessing and documenting mould and fungal contamination in Australian workplaces. It helps businesses protect workers from respiratory and allergic health risks, safeguard property, and demonstrate compliance with WHS obligations and hygiene expectations.

Mould and fungi growth in workplaces is more than an appearance issue – it is a health and safety risk that can trigger respiratory illness, allergies, asthma exacerbation and, in some cases, serious infections. Damp buildings also degrade faster, leading to costly repairs, reputational damage and potential regulatory scrutiny. This Mould and Fungi Inspection Safe Operating Procedure sets out a structured, repeatable method for inspecting indoor areas, identifying visible and hidden mould, assessing moisture sources, and documenting findings in a way that stands up to internal and external review.

Developed for the Australian regulatory environment, the SOP supports PCBUs and officers to meet their duty of care by embedding a consistent process for mould inspections across offices, schools, healthcare, aged care, hospitality, retail and industrial facilities. It clarifies who does what, when inspections are triggered (e.g. after water ingress, flooding or occupant complaints), and how to prioritise remediation actions based on risk. By implementing this SOP, organisations can move away from ad‑hoc responses and towards a proactive, evidence‑based approach that reduces health risks, supports worker consultation, and integrates with broader WHS and facility management systems.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, defensible process for identifying and documenting mould and fungal contamination across all sites.
• Reduce health risks to workers, contractors and visitors by systematically detecting and escalating mould issues before they worsen.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS duties to provide a safe working environment free from harmful biological agents.
• Streamline communication between WHS, facilities, cleaners and external specialists through clear roles, triggers and reporting templates.
• Minimise property damage, disruption and remediation costs by linking inspection findings to timely corrective actions.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Facility Managers
• Property Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Building Maintenance Coordinators
• Infection Prevention and Control Coordinators
• Aged Care Managers
• School Business Managers
• Cleaning and Restoration Contractors
• Risk and Compliance Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Exposure to airborne mould spores and fungal fragments
• Respiratory irritation, asthma exacerbation and allergic reactions
• Potential exposure to mycotoxins from certain mould species
• Microbial contamination following water ingress, leaks or flooding
• Slip and trip risks associated with damp, degraded surfaces
• Structural deterioration of building materials due to prolonged moisture
• Secondary contamination of HVAC systems distributing spores through buildings

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions (Mould, Fungi, Dampness, Affected Area, Intrusive Inspection)
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities (PCBU, WHS, Facilities, Contractors)
• 4.0 Triggers for Mould and Fungi Inspection (Complaints, Water Events, Routine Checks)
• 5.0 Required Competencies and Training for Inspectors
• 6.0 Required Equipment, Tools and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• 7.0 Pre‑Inspection Planning and Risk Assessment
• 8.0 Site Access, Permits and Consultation with Workers
• 9.0 Step‑by‑Step Mould and Fungi Inspection Procedure
• 10.0 Moisture Source Identification (Leaks, Condensation, Building Envelope Issues)
• 11.0 Use of Instruments (Moisture Meters, Hygrometers, Visual Aids)
• 12.0 Classification of Contamination and Risk Rating Matrix
• 13.0 Sampling and Laboratory Testing (When and How, if Applicable)
• 14.0 Health and Safety Precautions During Inspection Activities
• 15.0 Documentation, Photographic Evidence and Inspection Checklists
• 16.0 Reporting Requirements and Communication of Findings
• 17.0 Immediate Controls and Isolation of Affected Areas (If Required)
• 18.0 Escalation and Referral to Specialist Hygienists or Remediation Contractors
• 19.0 Integration with Corrective Actions, Maintenance Requests and Work Orders
• 20.0 Post‑Remediation Verification and Clearance Inspections
• 21.0 Recordkeeping, Data Storage and Trend Analysis
• 22.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement of the Procedure

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and equivalent state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory WHS Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing the Work Environment and Facilities: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 3666.2: Air-handling and water systems of buildings – Microbial control – Operation and maintenance
• AS 1851: Routine service of fire protection systems and equipment (relevant where water damage from fire systems may lead to mould)
• National Construction Code (NCC) – provisions relating to moisture management and ventilation
• State and territory health department guidance on mould and dampness in indoor environments (e.g. NSW Health, QLD Health mould guidelines)