Resources for Businesses Affected by Wildfire Smoke

10 tips to lower smoke exposure in the workplace

1.      Have a plan: Include wildfire smoke events in your emergency response and business continuity plans. Designate a team for handling business and personnel impacts. Include members with authority to close business or stop work.

2.      Reduce outdoor air flow: Shut down outside air intakes and adjust your air conditioning to use recirculated air. While the precaution for COVID-19 is to increase outdoor air flow, that should not be the case when the outdoor air quality is considered hazardous.

3.      Change your HVAC filters: Consider also using a HEPA-rated room air filtration unit.

4.      Keep windows and doors closed: Reduce entering and exiting the building.

5.      Re-assign work: If possible, relocate or re-assign outdoor activities out of the smoke zone.

6.      Cease work: If the air quality and/or visibility presents health and safety hazards, consider closing or stopping specific job functions.

7.      Communicate frequently with employees and customers: Let them know about any changes to your schedule, operations, or availability.

8.      Monitor communication channels: This includes Washington Air Quality Advisory, Local and State Emergency Broadcasts, the Washington State Department of Health, and Washington State Department of Labor and Industry.

9.      Consider providing masks: While N-95 masks are in short supply, other face masks will provide some protection, including N-99, N-100, or an elastomeric respirator with cartridges that offer the same level of filtration. * Follow voluntary use guidelines in the additional resources below.

10. Reduce other pollutants: Cut down on other sources of air pollutants, like vacuuming and cooking indoors, or smoking and burning fuel outdoors.

Additional resources

Wildfire smoke and Washington workers:

·       Employee health and smoke

·       Staying informed about air quality

·       Protecting indoor workers

·       Dust masks

·       Medical evaluations and wildfire smoke

·       Workers' rights

Wildfire smoke and dust masks at work:

·       Should workers wear a dust mask?

·       Do employers have to provide dust masks for voluntary use?

·       How do you choose the right dust mask?

·       5 tips to using a dust mask

·       What other steps can an employer take to reduce wildfire smoke at work?

Voluntary Respiratory Use Information WAC 296-842-11005 - Table 2 required to be reviewed with employees who voluntarily wear respirators/dust masks.

Recommendations for wildfire smoke and COVID-19 during the 2020 wildfire season from Washington State Department of Health:

·       Overlapping health impacts of wildfire smoke and COVID-19

·       Reducing exposure to wildfire smoke during COVID-19