STAYING IN TOUCH: JACQUELYN ODURO
Most heavy construction work takes place outdoors. The smoke from record setting wildfires has become a regular hazard this summer, affecting the safety and health of workers. Smoke exposure and inhalation can lead to a variety of short and long-term health effects like 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 smoke exposure by making accommodations, where possible, for workers 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 high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
- Ensure that windows and other building openings like 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.
For any further information regarding wildfire smoke safety, contact your regional safety advisor.
