× The federal government has shut down due to the failures of the President and Congress to continue government funding. Millions of Californians receiving benefits from state programs may be impacted. For now, California’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will continue to provide services and enroll eligible families as long as funding is available. No new federal funding to California WIC will be provided until the President and Congress take action. Families should continue to use their WIC benefits and attend their WIC appointments. This information is subject to change, so please monitor the California WIC website for updates.

Please be wary of potential highly partisan political messaging while visiting federal government websites for information related to the federal government shutdown.

Skip Navigation LinksOHWSep2019

Top Menu

Occupational Health Branch

Occupational Health Watch: September 2019

Protecting Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

Farmworkers harvest artichoke in a field while a large cloud of smoke rises behind them from a nearby wildfire.A new Cal/OSHA emergency regulation, effective July 29, 2019, requires that when the Air Quality Index* is 151 or higher due to wildfire smoke, employers must:

  • Allow workers to work indoors in effectively filtered buildings when feasible, or
  • Relocate workers to areas with better air quality, or
  • Provide outdoor workers with approved respirators, such as N95 respirators.

Employers must also check air quality at outdoor work sites at the start of each shift when they anticipate workers may be exposed to smoke.

The resources listed below offer details on the new regulation as well as information that can be used for worker trainings on the harmful effects of wildfire smoke and safe and effective use of respirators.

*This refers to the Air Quality Index (AQI) for particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PM2.5).


Photo: Wildfire smoke can harm the health of exposed outdoor workers.
Image courtesy Stephanie Rodriguez/CAUSE

Resources

Fires and Health – California Department of Public Health website

Protection from Wildfire Smoke – Cal/OSHA Emergency Regulation 8 CCR 5141.1

Wildfire Smoke: A Guide for Public Health Officials – AirNow website

Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions – Cal/OSHA website



Email OHW@cdph.ca.gov with feedback about this update or change of address.

Page Last Updated :