Brenda Davis, WSDA Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
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| Department of Natural Resources photo |
Spring in the Pacific Northwest has been cooler and wetter than average. We may all be impatient for hot, dry summery days. But those conditions increase the risk of wildfires that cause destruction and choking smoke in the air.
Fires are already raging through southwestern states, particularly New Mexico with nearly a half-million acres ablaze – a cautionary reminder to get prepared now for Washington’s wildfire season.
Wildfire smoke is a major threat to human health, and the biggest source of particle pollution in Washington. Breathing in smoke causes wheezing and coughing, heart and lung disease, and can even cause death.
The state Department of Ecology predicts the number of acres burned by wildfires is increasing as climate change reduces winter snowpack, and produces hotter and drier summers.
L&I rules
The health risks from wildfire smoke prompted the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) last year to file emergency rules spelling out responsibilities for employers, including state agencies like WSDA, to identify harmful smoke risks, notify employees, and eliminate or reduce workers’ exposure.
The emergency rules expired in November, but L&I is in the process of making the rules permanent. The agency has indicated that they would again adopt the rules on an emergency basis, if permanent rules are not in place by the start of this year’s fire season.
WSDA will continue to follow the wildfire smoke rules to promote education and awareness of these health hazards to employees.
These L&I rules, which apply specifically to people working outdoors, give clarify when staff is most at risk and specific steps we as an employer need to take. They exempt worksites within enclosed buildings and vehicles with windows and doors mostly kept closed (except for entry and exit) and air-filtration systems.
The rules set the standard for dangerously poor air quality at 2.5 PM (particulate matter), which means suspended solid or liquid particles are at or below 2.5 micrometers in diameter. The fine particles at this level are the most concerning hazard, because they get deep into the lungs, worsening conditions like asthma, and affecting heart health.
Employer responsibilities
WSDA managers and supervisors are responsible for monitoring air quality conditions in the areas where employees are working outdoors. They can check websites such as the EPA's AirNow website or state Department of Ecology's Air Monitoring Network and download mobile apps like "EPA AirNow" or "Air Quality WA."
In addition, I will be emailing wildfire smoke alerts to staff in areas where air quality ranges from concerning to very unhealthy levels, as determined by the national Air Quality Forecast System.
When workers are at risk of exposure to hazardous levels of wildfire smoke, employers must take actions to eliminate or reduce their exposure. These measures may include:
- Moving work to enclosed buildings, structures, or vehicles where the air is adequately filtered.
- Moving employees to areas with lower smoke exposure.
- Reducing work intensity.
- Providing additional rest periods.
Providing employees with respirators, such as an N95 or a KN95 disposal mask, at no cost for voluntary use when levels of particulate matter are high.
As WSDA’s emergency preparedness coordinator, I have been working with my Safety Office colleagues and agency leaders to review job hazards and help programs obtain the supplies they need to keep workers safe from smoke exposure. Use of respirators for this purpose is voluntary, so no medical exam or fit test is required.
Although it’s not required, WSDA and L&I recommend taking action to reduce employee exposure to dangerous air at even lower levels of particulate matter, especially for workers with asthma or other lung conditions.
We also recommend training employees and supervisors about wildfire smoke. WSDA staff should view the 15-minute wildfire smoke training video on L&I’s website.
In summary: The health risks from wildfire smoke prompted the state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) last year to file emergency rules spelling out responsibilities for employers, including state agencies like WSDA, to identify harmful smoke risks, notify employees, and eliminate or reduce workers’ exposure. WSDA will continue to follow the wildfire smoke rules to promote education and awareness of these health hazards to employees. Read this Insider blog post for updates on agency responsibilities.
