Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to follow California’s Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard, which requires them to take steps to protect their workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. Harmful air quality from wildfire smoke is currently impacting Northern California and can occur anywhere in the state on short notice.

The Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard applies to most worksites where the air cannot be filtered and the Air Quality Index for PM2.5 is 151 or more due to wildfire smoke. To help employers prepare and assist their workers, Cal/OSHA has created an informational webpage with all of the requirements and free materials hosted on www.WildfireSmokeCalifornia.org and www.HumodeIncendios.org.

When wildfire smoke might affect a worksite, employers must monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 before and throughout the work shift. It is easy to track the AQI using websites like the U.S. EPA’s AirNow or local air quality management district websites. Employers can also use their own instruments to measure PM2.5 at a worksite under Cal/OSHA’s requirements.

If the air is unhealthy due to wildfire smoke, employers must provide proper respiratory protection like N95 respirators for voluntary use if work cannot be moved to a location where the air is not harmful. If employers cannot move operations to areas where the air is adequately filtered and they do not have access to respiratory protection, they may need to halt operations until the outdoor air quality improves.

This includes outdoor worksites and indoor locations where the air is not filtered or doors are kept open such as warehouses, packing, manufacturing, distribution facilities, and more.

Workers should be trained on the health effects of wildfire smoke. Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases and fine particles that can harm health. The greatest hazard comes from breathing fine particles in the air (called PM2.5), which can reduce lung function, worsen asthma or other existing heart and lung conditions, and cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

If the AQI for PM2.5 is 151 or greater, employers must take these steps to protect employees:

If the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500 due to wildfire smoke, respirator use is required. Employers must ensure employees use respirators and implement a respiratory protection program as required in California’s respiratory standard. For information or help on developing a respiratory protection program, see Cal/OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Fact Sheet.

Guidance for employers and workers on wildfire smoke, clean up and other hazards are available on Cal/OSHA’s web page along with frequently asked questions about N95 respirators.

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