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Oregon Wildfire Smoke Employer Training Checklist
This list will help ensure that you and your team are prepared for wildfire smoke conditions. The following items were adapted from Oregon OSHA's new temporary rule on protection from wildfire smoke.
1. CHECK OREGON OSHA WEBSITE.
The latest rules and resources will be posted here: osha.oregon.gov/edu/courses/Pages/wildfire-smoke-online-course.aspx
2. IDENTIFY HARMFUL EXPOSURES. Employers can obtain air quality data through any of the following means:
airnow.gov (get NowCast AQI where you are)
oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map (interactive map of OR air quality)
tools.airfire.org (links to federal wildfire & air quality tools)
Directly measure the work location air concentration for PM2.5 following manufacturer's instructions
If the above methods are not practical use the 5-3-1 visibility chart (oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/2014/08/5-3-1-visibility-chart-helps-determine.html)
3. INFORM & TRAIN. Before employees are exposed to an AQI of 101+ employers must ensure their training covers:
Symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure
Burning sensations, redness, and tearing of the eyes caused by irritation and inflammation that can temporarily impair one’s vision
Runny nose, sore throat, cough, difficulty breathing, sinus irritation, wheezing, shortness of breath
Fatigue, headache, irregular heartbeat, chest pain
Potential health effects for sensitive groups: pre-existing health conditions, cardiac or respiratory illnesses, children, adults over 65, pregnant women, diabetes, or other medical conditions
Employee training
Employee’s right to report health issues related to wildfire smoke exposure and obtain medical treatment without fear of retaliation
How employees can obtain the current and forecasted ambient air concentration for PM2.5 and equivalent AQI level
The importance, limitations, and benefits of using a filtering facepiece respirator when provided by the employer, and how to properly put them on
Employer/Supervisor training
How to effectively operate and interpret any air quality monitoring device provided by the employer to comply with these rules
Employer's methods to protect employees from wildfire smoke
Procedures the supervisor must follow if an employee exhibits severe symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure, including emergency response
Employer's communication system for wildfire smoke hazards
Videos to fulfill partial training requirements for (1) symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure (2) potential health effects (3) sensitive groups (4) employee's rights (5) obtaining AQI levels and (6) respirator use: cbs.state.or.us/osha/pubed/courses/wildfire-smoke/course/wildfire-module-1/index.html
4. COMMUNICATE HAZARDS. Before employees are exposed to an AQI of 101+ the employer must develop and implement a system to communicate wildfire smoke hazards including the following:
Notify employees when the AQI is at or above each of these concentrations: 101, 201, and 501
Notify employees when the AQI drops below levels requiring protective measures
Enable and encourage employees to inform the employer if any of the following occurs:
When air quality improves and worsens
Asthma attacks, difficulty breathing, and chest pain, these severe health symptoms may be the result of wildfire smoke exposure
5. IMPLEMENT EXPOSURE CONTROLS.
Whenever employee exposure is at an AQI of 101+:
Maintain sufficient number and sizes of NIOSH-approved respirators at each work location where employees are exposed
Provide respirators at no cost and make them readily available for voluntary use to all exposed workers at their request
Whenever employee exposure is at an AQI of 201+:
Provide enclosed buildings, structures, or vehicles where the air is adequately filtered
Relocate work to an outdoor location where the current AQI is less than 201
Change work schedules to a time when the AQI is less than 201
Ensure employees wear NIOSH-approved respirators
A full Respiratory Protection Program is not required if the Wildfire Smoke Respiratory Protection Program is followed (see appendix: osha.oregon.gov/OSHARules/adopted/2021/temp-rule-protection-from-wildfire-smoke.pdf)
Whenever employee exposure is at an AQI of 501+:
Employees must wear NIOSH-approved respirators
Employers must implement a complete Respiratory Protection Program
6. RESOURCES.
For more resources please visit the PNASH wildfire smoke safety website: deohs.washington.edu/pnash/wildfiresmoke
This creates a private checklist in your account.