Breathe easy: 3 tips to help you stay safe when air quality is low during wildfire season

Daniel Schafer
Communications

If you’ve lived in Washington for the past few years, you know that even if you’re far from a wildfire, their effect on air quality can be significant. As we head into the summer, remember that safety is a responsibility we all share. When it comes to air quality, everyone has a role to play. In this blog, we’ll provide tips and resources that can help us all do our part this year.

Participate in Wildfire Smoke Training

Photo by Landon Parenteu.

In the past, this training was primarily sent only to those who have the potential to be in the field and impacted by wildfire smoke. As climate changes and wildfires increase, so do negative effects on our air quality. In the spirit of emergency preparedness and out of concern for all staff, the Emergency Preparedness Program has started a preventative wildfire smoke education for everyone in the agency. Though you may not work or supervise team members with the potential to work in areas affected by wildfire smoke, such as field workers and trappers, it's also important to keep air quality in mind while working from a home office or traveling throughout the state. That’s because we all could be impacted by poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. So let’s be prepared, through education and awareness, in our daily lives. 

For many employees, it will be the first time you have seen this training, which is self-paced and provided by the Learning Center (TLC). If you have staff members that work in the field and don’t have access to a computer with internet access during the work day, contact  emergencyprepared@agr.wa.gov for guidance and to arrange in-person training.

Stay informed 

Part of staying safe when air quality is poor due to wildfire smoke is to be informed on the conditions you’re facing. Here are two resources that can equip you with the information you need to stay safe during wildfire season: 

Hazard Alerts: Visit the WSDA intranet homepage for Hazard Alerts prepared by Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Brenda Davis. Information from these alerts are provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Air Quality Forecast System (NAQFS), and Project Outdoor Air Quality. These alerts are designed to give each of us enough advance notice on poor air quality to take action that will prevent or limit exposure and any harmful health effects.

U.S. Air Quality Index: Air quality hazard alerts from NOAA and NAQFS are a critical tool, but can sometimes lack the specificity we need to understand the current state of air quality. For more detailed information about air quality in a particular location, access the U.S. Air Quality Index at AirNow.gov. By entering your zip code, you can see the state of air quality in your exact location as well as a three-day air quality forecast.

 

Use the most effective PPE: Your good judgement

You know yourself better than anyone else. On top of resources like Hazard Alerts and AirNow, use your own judgment. If air quality conditions seem unsafe, contact your supervisor. WSDA supports employee safety and employees are encouraged to speak up when they feel unsafe.

To learn more about how to stay safe when air quality is low, as well as your rights to a safe work environment as an employee, see L&I’s guide on “Protecting Workers from Wildfire Smoke Exposure.”

While it’s up to each of us to look out for our own wellbeing, program managers and supervisors are required to monitor air quality for employees. They do this by regularly monitoring air quality in the areas where team members are working and taking steps to limit or prevent exposure. These checks are to be done prior to each shift and periodically throughout the scheduled day. Monitoring helps both managers and team members stay safe from the impacts of poor air quality. 

When air quality is low, program managers and supervisors should follow PPE guidelines and ensure their team members have access to the tools they need to carry them out. According to the Exposure Controls section of WAC 296-62-08570, employers, if feasible, must use engineering controls to reduce employee PM2.5 exposure to less than 20.5µg/m3 (WAQA 101, AQI 69). Use the table below to understand what this means for you.

Air-quality decision matrix

 

Table notes

1. Visit the AirNow website or “EPA AIRNow” mobile app (available for download on WSDA issued cellular phones) and compare the value at your location with the AQI action level.
2. Respiratory Protection (RP) includes:
1. N-95 filtering facepiece (provided and encouraged; used on a voluntary basis)
2. N-95 filtering facepiece (provided and highly recommended; used on a voluntary basis)
3. Enrolled in Respirator Protection Program (RPP) (medically cleared & fit-tested)
4. Full-facepiece APR with HEPA filters; Loose-fitting or full-facepiece powered air-purifying respirators; or other respirators that are at least as effective
3. Exposure Controls (EC) Examples:
1. Locating work in enclosed structures or vehicles where the air is adequately filtered
2. Changing procedures such as moving workers to a location below the action level
3. Reducing work time in locations with unfiltered air
4. Changing work schedules to a time with a lower AQI
5. Increasing rest time and frequency, and providing rest locations with filtered air
6. Reducing the physical intensity of the work, lower breathing and heart rates

Critical work includes critical compliance, elevator, electrical and boiler inspections

Imminent hazards are life-threatening or unique situations requiring Designated Safety and Health Coordinator and ISH approval.

Safety is our priority

Staying informed, trusting your judgement, and participating in required training are key steps to ensuring your safety during Washington’s wildfire season. By utilizing resources such as Hazard Alerts, the U.S. Air Quality Index, and safety training from WSDA Emergency Preparedness, you can stay updated on air quality conditions and take a proactive approach to safety.

Remember that your well-being is what comes first, so trust your instincts and communicate regularly with your supervisor and your team to make sure we all stay safe this summer.

In summary: As wildfires become more frequent, their impact on air quality becomes more significant, affecting everyone. For this reason, all agency staff will be required to participate in Wildfire Smoke Training. This blog also provides tips on staying informed about air quality conditions, providing resources like Hazard Alerts and the U.S. Air Quality Index, to ensure everyone's safety during wildfire season.

Enhancing driver safety: Washington State Department of Agriculture's initiative to protect seasonal employees

Daniel Schafer
Communications

Every year, our agency employs dedicated seasonal workers responsible for trapping invasive pests. These trappers diligently scour every corner of the state to identify invasive species that pose a threat to Washington's agricultural health. Their work regularly takes them to remote, seldom-traveled, and often-narrow roads.

Challenges faced by field staff

Trappers face numerous challenges while performing their duties. Driving across their assigned regions, they make regular stops to set, inspect, and eventually remove traps. The nature of their work requires them to repeatedly park and leave their vehicles to perform tasks before moving on to the next site. Unfortunately, the roads they traverse are not only narrow but sometimes rough and overgrown. Such difficult conditions require frequent tricky turnarounds and maneuvers, resulting in between three and six slow-speed collisions reported by WSDA's seasonal employees each year. In fact, 28% of all auto accidents involving WSDA employees occur while backing into or driving over stationary objects such as mailboxes and utility poles.

Addressing safety concerns

Instructors offered WSDA employees hands-on training.

Recognizing the pressing need to enhance the safety of seasonal employees, Jason Gambill, WSDA's senior safety officer, is spearheading a mission to reduce accidents. In 2022, the first phase of Gambill's plan was implemented, equipping many of the agency's vehicles with backup cameras. As many collisions involve backing into stationary objects, these cameras have proven to be valuable tools for drivers.

Driver safety training 

Continuing the endeavor to prioritize safety, on June 6, 2023, all 30 seasonal employees responsible for trapping the invasive spongy moth participated in a comprehensive two-hour driver safety training session held at the Thurston County Fairgrounds. The training was conducted by Olympic Driving School, with three experienced instructors, including the company's owner and lead instructor, Scott Jansen. The program included group discussions on safe driving practices and hands-on instruction to equip WSDA employees with effective strategies for staying safe on the job. While this training session catered to the seasonal employees working in western Washington in 2023, subsequent training sessions will be held in 2024 and will include seasonal employees tasked with trapping apple maggots in eastern Washington as well. 

The vision for safety

By offering hands-on driver's safety training to seasonal employees, Jason Gambill and WSDA's safety team aim to eliminate slow-speed collisions entirely. Gambill emphasizes the significance of this training, saying, "With these newly acquired skills, our seasonal employees will have the ability to protect themselves, the public, and private property across the state."

In summary: Seasonal employees who will be working as spongy moth trappers this year participated in a driving safety training on June 6, 2023. This training is part of an effort by WSDA to decrease the number of on-the-job motor vehicle accidents. In 2024, the training will be provided for spongy moth trappers who work in western Washington as well as apple maggot trappers who work in eastern Washington.