WORKER PROTECTIONS

Workplace Safety and Health

The Department of Labor & Industries developed Wildfire Smoke Rules, effective January 15, 2024, to protect the health of outdoor workers exposed to the small particles contained in wildfire smoke. 

Some ways to protect workers from wildfire smoke include:

• Providing enclosed buildings, structures, or vehicles where the air is adequately filtered.
• Providing portable HEPA filters in enclosed areas.
• Relocating work to a location with a lower smoke level.
• Changing work schedules to a time with a lower smoke level.
• Avoiding or reducing work that creates additional dust, fumes, or smoke (for example limiting welding, sanding, sawing, spray painting, etc.).
• Reducing work intensity.
• Provide access to clean air.
• Providing additional rest periods.

Respirators filter the air to protect worker’s lungs.

Properly fitted respirators can significantly reduce a worker’s exposure to wildfire smoke. At certain levels of wildfire smoke, employers are required to provide a NIOSH approved N95 respirator to employees. More protective respirators can be provided as well. Respirators should be fit tested to provide the best protection.

Bandanas, scarves, facemasks, KN95s, or t-shirts worn over the nose and mouth will not provide protection against wildfire smoke. A NIOSH approved N95 respirator is the minimum protection from wildfire smoke.

Working in wildfire smoke can make people sick.

Workers need to alert their employer if they experience any health effects from wildfire smoke exposure. This is so they can be monitored in case their symptoms worsen, and because employers must limit further exposures to other employees. In severe cases, workers may need emergency medical attention.

Employers are not allowed to retaliate against an employee for reporting any symptoms that may potentially be related to wildfire smoke exposure, for seeking medical attention, or for following medical advice they have been given. Click here to see the anti-discrimination provisions of the wildfire smoke rules.

Training and Resources

Employers covered under the Wildfire Smoke Rules must provide workers with training on wildfire smoke before exposing them to a PM_2.5 concentration of 20.5 µg/m³ (AQI 69) or more. Training needs to be done before smoke exposure and repeated every year. Click here for more specifics on training.

Topic-specific information

·        Agriculture

·        Firefighters

·        Outdoor Heat Exposure (Heat Stress)

·        Respirators

Questions?

·        FAQs about wildfire smoke rules

·        Email L&I your safety & health question