Cal/OSHA Cautions Employers to Protect Workers from Ongoing Unhealthy Air from WildfiresCal/OSHA Cautions Employers to Protect Workers from Ongoing Unhealthy Air from Wildfires

January 24, 2025

1 Min Read
Rosanne Tackaberry / Alamy Stock Photo

Cal/OSHA is reminding employers to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. The Hughes Fire is impacting air quality in the Ventura and Northern Los Angeles Counties. 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 Castaic, Santa Clarita and Oxnard in those counties, but could eventually spread even further.

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.

wildfiresafety.png

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:

Read more about:

SafetyUnited States
Stay in the Know - Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Join a network of more than 90,000 waste and recycling industry professionals. Get the latest news and insights straight to your inbox. Free.

You May Also Like