{"id":767,"date":"2021-06-09T14:23:31","date_gmt":"2021-06-09T19:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gas-sensing.com\/news\/?p=767"},"modified":"2025-07-30T14:37:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T19:37:50","slug":"wildfire-smoke-regulations-wildfire-smoke-monitor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gas-sensing.com\/news\/wildfire-smoke-regulations-wildfire-smoke-monitor\/","title":{"rendered":"Wildfire Smoke Regulations\/Wildfire Smoke Monitor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Wildfire Smoke Monitor (click image for more details)<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Wildfire Smoke An Issue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals and fine particles that can harm a person\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CAL\/OSHA Wildfire Smoke Regulation Background And Impetus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Division of Occupational Safety and Health in California<\/a> (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\u2019s Emergency Regulation was approved by the Office of Administrative Law<\/a>. It requires employers to protect workers from hazards associated with wildfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On August 27, 2019, Cal\/OSHA convened an advisory committee to further discuss the rule. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board<\/a>, a seven-member body appointed by the Governor, is the standards-setting agency within the Cal\/OSHA program. The Standards Board\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A year later, on August 20, 2020, Cal\/OSHA reminded employers<\/a> that Section 5141.1: Protection from Wildfire Smoke is still effective. Cal\/OSHA\u2019s 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<\/a> for details on the scope and application of this regulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employers Responsibilities Under The New Regulation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new Cal\/OSHA air quality standards, employers must take the following steps to protect workers who may be exposed to wildfire smoke:<\/p>\n\n\n\n