Wildfire smoke is a hazard workers on the West Coast of the U.S. have had to deal with for several years now. However, this threat seems poised to grow into a concern for workers across the entire country.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires spread through Illinois and Michigan to New York and Philadelphia from June 7 through June 10, 2023. The smoke caused “code red” air quality alerts and residents were urged to stay inside and avoid strenuous activities.
Media outlets, including National Geographic and CNN, warn that wildfire smoke on this scale could become a much more common occurrence throughout the U.S.
Federal OSHA issued information on June 9 regarding things that employers could do to help protect outdoor workers exposed to the hazard of wildfire smoke.
Doug Parker, Assistant Secretary for OSHA, acknowledged the major health hazards that wildfire smoke exposure presents and urged “all employers to have plans and preparations in place to protect workers by preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous air quality.”
Tiny particles can affect the lungs, other organs
The most significant hazard from wildfire smoke is exposure to tiny particles of partially burned materials that can enter the lungs and even the bloodstream. Exposure to these particles can lead to serious health problems, including lung, heart, and kidney disease.
Workers who already have lung problems and older adults are at higher risk of suffering adverse health effects from wildfire smoke, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
General Duty Clause, state safety standards cover hazard
While federal OSHA doesn’t have a specific standard covering the hazard of wildfire smoke, “employers still have a general duty to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, even if those hazards are created by outside environmental conditions,” law firm Cozen O’Connor states. That means OSHA could cite an employer via the General Duty Clause for endangering workers through exposure to wildfire smoke.
State OSHAs in California, Oregon, and Washington already have wildfire smoke standards in place covering employers in each respective state.
5 ways employers can protect workers from wildfire smoke
What can employers do to protect workers from exposure to wildfire smoke? Federal OSHA suggests:
frequent monitoring of air quality conditions using a source such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov.
relocating or rescheduling work tasks to smoke-free areas
reducing levels of physical activity, especially strenuous and heavy work
requiring and encouraging workers to take breaks in smoke-free places when possible, and
making accommodations for employees to work inside with proper HVAC systems and high-efficiency air filters, when possible.
Federal OSHA’s wildfire webpage offers further guidance on how employers can develop a wildfire smoke safety plan.
Don’t rely on dust masks
The CDC pointed out that workers shouldn’t rely on dust masks for protection. These paper masks that are commonly found at hardware stores are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust, and they will not protect the lungs from the small particles found in wildfire smoke.
Instead, workers exposed to wildfire smoke may need to wear a respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) such as an N95 or P100.
Employers should keep in mind that federal OSHA has a specific standard (1910.134) in place governing the use of respirators.
Source: https://rb.gy/xjfe5
Commentaires