Cal/OSHA Warns Employers to Protect Workers from Dangerous Wildfire Smoke in California

CalOSHA Warns Employers to Protect Workers from Dangerous Wildfire Smoke in California

California workers are facing health risks due to ongoing wildfires, and Cal/OSHA (California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health) is urging employers to take necessary steps to protect their teams. The Hughes Fire, which is affecting areas in Ventura and Northern Los Angeles Counties, has caused significant air quality issues. The smoke from the fire is reaching cities like Castaic, Santa Clarita, and Oxnard, and may continue spreading further.

With wildfire season becoming longer and more intense, Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to protect workers from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke, which can lead to serious health problems, especially for those who work outdoors or in areas with poor ventilation.

What Employers Need to Know:

Under Cal/OSHA’s Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard, employers have a responsibility to protect workers when air quality is unhealthy due to wildfire smoke. This includes:

  • Monitoring Air Quality: Employers must check the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 particles before and throughout the workday. PM2.5 are fine particles from smoke that can be harmful when breathed in. The AQI should be checked regularly on websites like AirNow by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or on local air quality management district websites.
  • Providing Respirators: When the AQI for PM2.5 goes above 150, employers must offer N-95 respirators to workers for voluntary use. If the AQI exceeds 500, it becomes mandatory for employers to provide respirators, and workers should be encouraged to use them to reduce exposure.
  • Adjusting Work Practices: Employers should adjust work practices to reduce the risks of exposure to wildfire smoke. This could include changing work hours, moving jobs indoors, or taking more frequent breaks.

How Wildfire Smoke Affects Workers:

Breathing in wildfire smoke can cause many health problems, particularly for those who work outside or in poorly ventilated areas. Some of the common effects include:

  • Short-term: Difficulty breathing, irritation in the eyes and throat, coughing, and headaches.
  • Long-term: Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can lead to respiratory diseases, heart problems, and other serious health conditions.

This is why it is critical for employers to take action whenever wildfire smoke is present.

The Importance of Monitoring Air Quality:

Air quality is measured using the AQI system, which tells how healthy or harmful the air is. When AQI levels for PM2.5 reach certain points, employers must take action to protect workers:

  • AQI between 150 and 500: Employers must provide N-95 respirators to all workers and make them available for voluntary use.
  • AQI above 500: Respirators become mandatory for all workers, and employers should ensure they are used to reduce the risks of inhaling harmful particles.

Employers can track air quality using online resources or even their own instruments to measure PM2.5 levels at their worksites.

Evacuation Zones and Worker Safety:

Employers must also be aware that it is illegal to punish or fire workers for refusing to work in dangerous conditions, including in evacuation zones. Workers should not be forced to work in areas where there is a high risk to their safety.

 

(Source : waste360.com)

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones

Yvonne Jones is a news reporter working at MCHS Red and Grey. She covers crime, local weather and national news at our news outlet. She usually spends her free time in library,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *