Advisory: Wildfire Smoke Alert: Cal/OSHA urges employers to protect workers from unhealthy air in Ventura County
Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. Currently, the Mountain Fire is impacting air quality in areas around Ventura County. Refer to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the latest status on the fire, road closures and evacuation orders.
Currently, wildfire smoke is impacting the Oxnard, Camarillo, and Santa Paula areas of Ventura County, but could eventually spread to nearby cities.
What you need to know: Cal/OSHA’s Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard requires employers to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke.
To protect workers, employers must monitor air quality, adjust work practices, and provide N-95 respirators for voluntary use. Cal/OSHA’s standard also outlines specific training requirements. Full details, including resources in both English and Spanish, can be found at www.WildfireSmokeCalifornia.org and www.HumodeIncendios.org.
Monitoring air quality: When wildfire smoke might affect a worksite, employers must monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 before and throughout the work shift.
Where the AQI for PM2.5 is above 150, the employer must provide respirators to all workers and encourage workers to use respirators.
Where the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500, respirator use is required.
Air quality can be tracked through 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 worksites per Cal/OSHA’s requirements.
Evacuation Zones: In California, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for refusing to work in unsafe conditions, including in evacuation zones. Read more in the fact sheet Worker Safety Wildfire Smoke and Evacuation Zones.
Additional resources:
More resources for wildfire smoke safety:
- Protecting Workers Exposed to Wildfire Smoke Fact Sheet
- Worker Safety: Wildfire and Evacuation Zones Infographic
- Training video Wildfire Smoke Safety
- CalFire incident tracking and resources
Cal/OSHA within the Department of Industrial Relations helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services provides free and voluntary assistance to employers to improve their health and safety programs.
Workers who have questions about wildfire smoke hazards and protections can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a Cal/OSHA representative. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov (510) 286-1161
Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: InfoCons@dir.ca.gov, or call your local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office
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