Working in smoky conditions outdoors
STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
Most heavy construction work takes place outdoors. Smoke from wildfires is a seasonal hazard, affecting the safety and health of workers. Smoke exposure and inhalation can lead to a variety of short- and long-term health effects such as eye irritation, sore throat, wheeze, cough, asthma, bronchitis pneumonia, etc.
To mitigate the effect of wildfire smoke in outdoor environments:
- Frequently monitor air quality conditions with your local weather authority or news
- Relocate or reschedule work tasks to smoke-free or less smoky areas or times of the day
- Reduce levels of physical activity, when possible, especially strenuous and heavy work
- Require and encourage workers to take frequent breaks in places that are free from smoke
- Limit the worker’s smoke exposure by making accommodations, where possible, for that worker to perform their duties indoors or in a location that reduces exposure to smoke.
- Fitted, filtering facepiece respirators can be used to reduce exposure to airborne particulates from wildfire smoke when the recommendations listed above cannot be implemented and it is feasible to obtain respirators.
To create an indoor environment that reduces wildfire smoke exposure to occupants:
- Install air cleaners equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
- Ensure that windows and other building openings such as loading docks and bays are kept closed
- Operate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in the re-circulate setting or temporarily reduce the amount of outdoor air supplied to the building
- Install the highest efficiency filters recommended by the designer or manufacturer of the HVAC system.
