Protect Workers from Unhealthy Air
Cal/OSHA Mandates Worker Training, Respiratory Protective Equipment
As the air quality goes down as the number of wildfires goes up, the California Landscape Contractors Association encourages all green industry professionals to monitor unhealthy air quality and provide all outdoor workers Cal/OSHA-mandated training and respiratory protection.
Key Recommendations:
- Review worker safety and health in wildfire regions guidance from the California Department of Industrial Relations and Cal/OSHA.
- Communicate with your employees.
- Provide N95 respirators.
Mandated Communication With Employees
Cal/OSHA mandates that employers inform employees about wildfire smoke hazards in a form readily understandable by all affected employees, including provisions designed to encourage employees to inform the employer of wildfire smoke hazards at the worksite without fear of reprisal. MORE >>
CLCA strongly encourages all employers to review Cal/OSHA’s safety order Wildfire Smoke Information to Be Provided to Employees (Mandatory).
Mandated Respiratory Protective Equipment
Although employee use is voluntary, employers are mandated to provide respiratory protective equipment, such as N95 respirators.
According to Safety Order 5141.1 Protection from Wildfire Smoke, “Where the current AQI … is equal to or greater than 151, but does not exceed 500, the employer shall provide respirators to all employees for voluntary use in accordance with section 5144 and encourage employees to use respirators.”
More info
How Bad Is The Air Near You?
California’s protection from wildfire smoke standard applies to workplaces where the Air Quality Index (AQI) for fine particles in the air is 151 or greater and where workers may be exposed to wildfire smoke.
To find your jobsite’s AQI, enter its ZIP code or city at airnow.gov.
