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How is Wildfire Smoke Measured? (Save these links!)

PM2.5 is particularly dangerous for people who work outdoor jobs in construction, agriculture, and other industries where workers have a higher physiological workload during the day.

It’s measured as very fine particulate matter called PM2.5 — very small particles 2.5 micrometers (µm) or smaller. Air samples are evaluated for the weight of the particles in a volume of air, or micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3): PM2.5.

Online tools you can use to check the current air quality include:
- Washington’s Air Monitoring Network from the Department of Ecology. (https://airqualitymap.ecology.wa.gov/)
- Washington Smoke Information blog from government agencies and Tribes. (https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/)
- Fire and Smoke Map from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (https://fire.airnow.gov/)

These tools can help you protect workers, monitor smoke conditions, and meet employer requirements.

New WA FACE Report: Crew Escapes Trench Collapse
SUMMARY
Two workers were severely injured when a trench collapsed. They were part of a four-person crew including their supervisor, who was also the competent person on site, attempting to repair a city sewer pipe.

The trench was four feet wide, approximately 20 to 24 feet long, and 10 to 11 feet deep. It was unshored and the walls were not benched or sloped. There was no shoring or shielding equipment on site. Workers were using a 10-foot straight ladder that did not extend above the top of the trench to enter and exit.

Two workers and the supervisor were in the trench attempting to repair the sewer pipe. They were unable to dig directly above the pipe due to a nearby water line, so they dug out a two-foot high by one-foot deep section from the trench wall to access the pipe.

The three worked in the trench for 45 to 60 minutes. They were banging on the sewer pipe with a wooden two-by-four.

Without warning, the top of the unshored trench wall collapsed. One worker was completely buried two feet under, and the other was pinned against the trench wall and buried up to his chest.

The competent person was in a part of the trench that did not collapse. The fourth worker immediately jumped in the trench to help the competent person rescue the two buried workers. They were able to dig them out and remove them from the trench. Both suffered severe injuries. One was transported by Life Flight and the other by ambulance to hospitals.

Get the FACE Report to Share: https://ow.ly/N4QL50ZGhJO

Wildfire smoke can impact anyone working outdoors—are you prepared?
Now is the time to review or update your Wildfire Smoke Response Plan. Make sure your team is ready:

• Use L&I’s Wildfire Training Kit to educate everyone on your plan.
• Train workers and supervisors every year, before wildfire smoke becomes a risk.
• Always provide training in a language and format your team understands.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Know how to respond if a worker becomes ill, and learn how to protect your team, monitor air quality, and stay compliant.

Get the latest resources and requirements from L&I’s Wildfire Smoke page: https://ow.ly/Melq50ZCJen

Prepare for a Heat Wave with Training
Before the next heat wave, make sure your workers and supervisor know how to recognize and respond to heat illness, including heat stroke. Use L&I's Heat Training Kit to customize your training and make sure to review your Outdoor Heat Safety Plan.

We’re just past the halfway mark of wildfire season—do you know what to do if wildfire smoke makes you sick at work?

Here’s what every worker should know:
• Notify your supervisor right away.
• Keep an eye on your symptoms and seek help if they get worse.
• If PM2.5 levels rise above 250 µg/m3, employers must provide a clean air space for those with severe symptoms. Stay updated on air quality using L&I’s Wildfire Smoke page.
• If you think your health has been affected by wildfire smoke at work, get a medical evaluation as soon as possible.
o Visit your preferred healthcare provider, or go to the ER if needed.
o Be sure to mention your workplace exposure to wildfire smoke.
o Your provider can help you start a workers’ compensation claim if necessary.

Protect your team and stay informed. Learn more about keeping workers safe, monitoring smoke, and meeting employer requirements on L&I’s Wildfire Smoke page: https://www.lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-topics/topics/wildfire-smoke

Wildfire Smoke Requirements, guidance, and resources for employers working in wildfire smoke.

What is Acclimatization?

Most heat-related fatalities occur during a worker’s first week in warm or hot environments. The body's temporary adaptation to work in heat over time is called acclimatization.

It can take 7-14 days for a worker’s body to fully acclimatize to working in the heat.
Employers are required to closely observe workers when they are at highest risk of experiencing heat illness, such as when workers are:
• New to working in heat.
• Returning to work after seven or more days away from working in the heat.
• Working during a heatwave.

Use L&I's Preventing Heat Related Illness pocket guide:https://www.lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F417-218-909.pdf

Access to Shade and Rest Periods
Access to shade
• Workers know the location of the shade, and it’s as close as possible to where they are working.
• It’s large enough for all to sit comfortably and take a break.
• The shaded area has no radiant heat sources or conditions that will discourage use.
• Workers remove their personal protective equipment (PPE).

Rest periods
• Allow workers to take preventive cool-down rest periods in the shade.
• Implement mandatory cool-down rest periods in the shade:
o At 90°F and above: 10 minutes of rest every two hours.
o At 100°F and above: increase to 15 minutes of rest every 1 hour.

L&I has resources and consultation services to help. https://ow.ly/wt3y50ZzYaW

Know the Health Risks of Breathing in Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke contains fine particles (PM2.5 or smaller) that can:
• Pe*****te deep into lungs and enter the bloodstream; and
• Trigger asthma, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory infections.

How to Protect Yourself:
• Stay Indoors — Keep windows closed and use air conditioning in recirculation mode.
• Use air filters — Air purifiers with HEPA filters or do-it-yourself box fan filters can help clean indoor air.
• Avoid outdoor activity — Limit exercise and physical labor outside.
• Wear NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirators — These protect against particulate matter, unlike cloth or surgical masks.

Sensitive groups include:
• Outdoor workers.
• Children and older adults.
• People with heart or lung conditions, and
• People who are pregnant and those with diabetes or respiratory infections.

Check Air Quality — Check out the following resources:
• Washington’s Air Monitoring Network from the Department of Ecology.
• Washington Smoke Information (Government Agency and Tribe Collaboration Blog).
• Fire and Smoke Map (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]).

Visit L&I’s Wildfire Smoke page for these links and additional resources. https://ow.ly/kJiy50ZzYkN

Why are Heatwaves so Dangerous?

When temperatures rapidly increase, workers cannot adapt fast enough. This results in increased risk for heat-related illnesses. Rising temperatures make it even more important to:

• Drink water and stay hydrated.
• Take preventive cool-down breaks.
• Watch out for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness.
• Get workers the help they need.
• Implement your high-heat procedures, as necessary

Water, Rest, Shade
Find great resources at

Be Heat Smart Find safety requirements and resources for planning for outdoor heat and educating workers on the dangers of working outdoors in hot weather.

What wildfire smoke symptoms require immediate medical attention?

• Wheezing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath or asthma attacks.
• Chest pain and other symptoms consistent with a heart attack.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Symptoms of a stroke like sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; and
• Any other concerning symptoms.

Learn how to protect workers, monitor smoke conditions, and meet employer requirements by visiting L&I’s Wildfire Smoke page for additional resources.

Wildfire Smoke Requirements, guidance, and resources for employers working in wildfire smoke.