Why Is Wildfire Smoke An Issue
Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals and fine particles that can harm a person’s health significantly. The greatest hazard comes from breathing fine particles in the air, which can reduce lung function, worsen asthma and other existing heart and lung conditions, and cause coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
The smallest, and usually the most harmful, particulate matter is PM 2.5. This consists of solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the air, with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller.
CAL/OSHA Wildfire Smoke Regulation Background And Impetus
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health in California (better known as Cal/OSHA) exists to help protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Emergency Regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law. It requires employers to protect workers from hazards associated with wildfire.
On August 27, 2019, Cal/OSHA convened an advisory committee to further discuss the rule. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, a seven-member body appointed by the Governor, is the standards-setting agency within the Cal/OSHA program. The Standards Board’s objective is to adopt reasonable and enforceable standards at least as effective as federal standards. The Standards Board also has the responsibility to grant or deny applications for variances from adopted standards and respond to petitions for new or revised standards.
A year later, on August 20, 2020, Cal/OSHA reminded employers that Section 5141.1: Protection from Wildfire Smoke is still effective. Cal/OSHA’s wildfire smoke standard applies to workplaces where the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for airborne PM2.5 is 151 or greater (deemed an unhealthy level) and where the employer should reasonably anticipate that employees may be exposed to wildfire smoke. Reference section 5141.1 for details on the scope and application of this regulation.
Employers Responsibilities Under The New Regulation
Under the new Cal/OSHA air quality standards, employers must take the following steps to protect workers who may be exposed to wildfire smoke:
- Identify harmful exposure to airborne particulate matter from wildfire smoke at the start of each shift and periodically thereafter by checking the AQI for PM2.5 in regions where workers are located.
- Reduce harmful exposure to wildfire smoke if feasible. For example, by relocating work to an enclosed building with filtered air or to an outdoor location where the AQI for PM2.5 is 150 or lower.
- If employers cannot reduce workers’ harmful exposure to wildfire smoke so that the AQI for PM2.5 is 150 or lower, they must provide:
- Respirators such as N95 masks to all employees for voluntary use
- Training on the new regulation, the health effects of wildfire smoke, and the safe use and maintenance of respirators
Employers Can Measure Local PM2.5 Levels With A CAL/OSHA Wildfire Smoke Monitor
Ensuring outdoor workers are protected from the effects of wildfire smoke requires hyper-local data you can trust. Monitoring PM2.5 levels with a ‘direct reading instrument’ is the best way to obtain this vital data. Cal/OSHA have outlined mandatory requirements for employers wanting to use their own wildfire smoke monitor. The employer must be able to demonstrate that their chosen PM2.5 monitor:
- Does not underestimate employee exposures to wildfire smoke
- Is designed and manufactured to measure ≤ 0.3μm to 2.5μm
- And all necessary accessories are calibrated, maintained, and used, following the manufacturer’s instructions
- Is used under the supervision of someone with the necessary experience or training in air quality monitoring
Employers need to use the following table to convert the PM2.5 concentration to the AQI for PM2.5:
Gas-Sensing offers a Wildfire Smoke Monitoring Kit, created specifically to help employers comply with the Cal/OSHA wildfire smoke regulation and subsequently protect the health of their outdoor workers.
Source: Aeroqual – (https://www.aeroqual.com/cal-osha-wildfire-smoke-regulation)
