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ABOUT THE MAA
The MAA was
established in 2002 to promote uniform standards, procedures and protocols, and a common
code of ethics for those environmental health professionals specializing in the area of
mold inspection, investigation, hygiene and remediation. Membership, however, is open to
any trade or other professional who is affected by issues concerning mold, as well as
individuals from the public who wish to support our mission.
The problem of toxic mold is a concern to
all involved in real estate transactions, structural repair transactions and, most
importantly, to the health and well-being of the public. Some lending agencies now require
real property transactions to have both structural and environmental assessment clearance
letters, which include a visual mold inspection, as part of the loan package, ensuring
that the property is clear of conditions that might result in lawsuits. When a hazardous
condition is detected, additional steps may need to be taken to clear the property and
needs to include the mold clearance letter. Some mold professionals are now offering
mold bonds to property owners.
By working together to develop and maintain
standards of excellence, MAA members benefit from professional development and the
exchange of ideas, and our promotional activities educate the public. Our statewide
referral service helps consumers find facts about the industry and unites the membership
with new clients. Members from other states are a part of the National Mold Assessment
Association, and, until their State Chapters are founded, we will make available our
referral services to them.
MISSION AND VISION
Our mission is to unite, through a
multidisciplinary approach, business, industry and the public-at-large in a concerted and
focused effort to benefit our future, our children and our general environmental welfare
with regards to solving mold issues.
We promote excellence and quality services
among the providers of environmental health assessment by setting uniform standards of
practice in the areas of mold investigation, inspection, hygiene and remediation, as well
as other trade professions affected by mold, along with a common code of ethics for all
these professionals toward the advocacy, benefit and well-being of the general public.
We are committed to our mission as to the
public’s awareness of toxic mold. Its activities to this end will be met through
ongoing public seminars, continuing education and training of its membership, and forums
for the exchange of ideas, new information and environmental technologies, thereby
enhancing the reputation and technical skills of these professionals by the establishment
of stringent membership requirements that ensure members’ objectivity, integrity and
technical expertise.
We believe that providing customer service
right the first time, on time, every time, for the right reasons and with right intentions
makes for the highest quality service.
Together, we can make great things happen.
Together, our leadership is our gift to the future.
MOTTO
All MAA members uphold the
following motto:
Professionalism, Integrity, Competency and
Compliance.
GOALS
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Create public
awareness of the presence of toxic molds, and present to them options and general
guidelines, in the event of its presence, for informed decision-making toward a healthier
and safer indoor environment. |
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Answer the
public’s basic questions and concerns regarding toxic mold, and provide them with
information from credible sources, as well as protocols of all inspectors, hygienists and
remediators, and other trade professionals whose practices are affected by mold. |
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Provide the
public with a list of qualified inspectors, hygienists and remediators, noting any prior
claims the business or institute may have had over the last three years. |
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Become a
statewide organization dedicated to providing its members with information, education and
testing with respect to toxic mold inspections, investigations and remediations, and with
moisture control measures, as well as providing information and testing with respect to
mold to other trade professionals whose practices are affected by mold and/or moisture
control measures. |
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Provide members
with a contact listing of credible and reputable testing laboratories and agencies that
support their industry. |
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Provide
Association-based minimum requirement standards of protocols and procedures for moisture
control measures and the inspection, investigation, hygiene and remediation of molds, as
well as other trade profession practices affected by mold and/or moisture control
measures, in order to establish quality control. |
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Provide minimum
qualified individual training points required to maintain Association guidelines and
membership; and create Association-based core exams and Association category examinations. |
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Establish
uniform, verifiable and ongoing training to newly established mold inspectors,
investigators, hygienists and remediators, as well as those newly established trade
professionals affected by mold and/or moisture control measures. |
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Promote vendor
introductions and training for products available for use in the private sector. |
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Establish rules
and regulations for the enforcement of the SC Mold Assessment Association’s
guidelines that will ensure the guidelines are adhered to by all registered members and/or
corporate members. |
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Investigate
association compliances as well as customer complaints, concerns and compliments. |
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Establish the
safest and easiest means of application and methods of practice for hygienists,
inspectors, investigators and remediators to control and eradicate toxic molds. |
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Update
information gathered from appropriate regulators; and provide appropriate agencies with a
registered business/professional listing of MAA members. |
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Provide periodic
literature to the membership. |
CODE OF ETHICS
The canons provided by this Code of
Ethics provide and establish clear and ethical standards of conduct for members of the
Mold Assessment Association (MAA). These canons are for use by MAA
professionals as they practice their profession and exercise their primary mission, which
is to protect the health and well-being of both their clients and the general public from
hazards related to toxic mold. Should a member violate these standards, their
designation(s) may be revoked for a period of time, and/or they may be expelled from the
Association.
First Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will conduct myself in a professional manner at all times, acting responsibly,
with honor and dignity, to uphold the integrity of my profession and of my professional
training and certification(s). In so doing, I will avoid association with any enterprise
of questionable character or apparent conflict of interest.
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| Second Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will always strive to maintain and improve professional standards with respect to
mold-related sciences and am willing to assist the MAA to that end. I will practice my
profession by following recognized scientific principles with the realization that the
lives, health, and personal, financial, legal and general well-being of both my client and
the general public may depend upon my professional judgment, evaluation, recommendations
and provided services.
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| Third
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will help to maintain public awareness that my profession is treating all parties
involved with and affected by it fairly and impartially. I will act as a disinterested
third party and will discharge my duties with integrity and fidelity, and always act in
good faith toward my client.
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| Fourth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will not falsely report or purposely misinterpret any information relating to any
work while performing my profession. I will make certain that I have had access to all
pertinent facts that are reasonably available before making any suggestions or drawing any
conclusion in the course of my work, and will express an opinion only when it is based on
practical experience and honest conviction.
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| Fifth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a professional,
I will counsel affected parties factually regarding potential health risks or hazards and
the precautions necessary to avoid adverse health effects, if I am so qualified and have
the appropriate knowledge base to do so. If I am unable to counsel factually regarding the
above, I will refer affected parties to appropriate professional counsel.
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| Sixth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will never allow a client to direct the outcome of a report or influence the
information contained in a report. I will avoid circumstances and situations wherein a
compromise of professional judgment or conflict of interest may arise. I will give
independent, honest and objective opinions of any reports or information supplied to me in
the course of my work, regardless of the source.
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| Seventh
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of
MAA, I will make certain that my client or employer fully understands all of the
information present in a final report and any suggestions or conclusions are carefully
explained to their full satisfaction. I will never be involved in a compromising situation
with any work performed where any direct or indirect conflict of interest may be cause for
concern about the objectivity of a final report.
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| Eighth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will recognize the responsibilities I have to the public, the profession, my
employer, and all parties having an interest in the work being performed, and will keep
confidential all personal and business information obtained during the exercise of my
professional activities, except when required by law or overriding health and public
safety considerations. I will not disclose any information concerning the results of my
work without the approval of the client for whom my work was performed.
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| Ninth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the MAA, I will perform
services only within areas of my competency, training and certification(s). I will
maintain competence in my professional field through continuous educational study. I will
be familiar with all State and Federal laws that may apply to the work being performed.
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| Tenth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA I will not accept compensation, financial or otherwise, from more than one
interested party for the same service to the same client, nor will I accept nor offer
commissions or allowances, directly or indirectly, from or to other parties dealing with
the same client in connection with work for which I am responsible.
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| Eleventh
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA, I will adhere to all its guidelines, standards and requirements for membership and
in the performance of my professional duties as they relate to mold-related sciences and
issues. I will also make every effort to uphold and maintain the professional practice,
integrity and reputation of the MAA and will report all violations of this Code of
Ethics by other members, and any other relevant information, to the MAA for possible
remedial action.
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| Twelfth
Canon of Ethical Conduct |
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As a member of the
MAA, while practicing my profession, I will treat all individuals with due respect,
recognizing the value of the inherent rights of equality and individualism, and will not
discriminate based upon age, gender, sexual orientation, race, cultural beliefs, national
origin, socioeconomic background, or job function with respect to profession, trade or
craft. |
The Association’s Board of Directors consists of fifteen
members, who have leadership responsibilities of MAA affairs. Each Director serves as
either an Advocate and in a professional advisory capacity with oversight of their
advocacies in the overall performance of the Association, or as an Officer. Board members
may be viewed in the Member's Only section.
There are two open advocacies, and the
Officers are functioning in these capacities until they are filled:
Advocate for Regulatory
Affairs, Rights & Ethics
Advocate for Economic Affairs, Business & Industry
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