Wildfire smoke - Oregon

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) has adopted standards for wildfire smoke that go beyond the requirements of OSHA’s General Duty Clause. There are separate rules for general occupational safety and for agricultural workers. Key requirements for which employers are responsible include:

1. Assess and monitor air quality at each work location where employees are exposed. Employers and employees can monitor air quality conditions for their area using websites or apps such as EPA AirNow. When the Air Quality Index meets or exceeds PM2.5 of 101 or greater, employers must take action to protect employees.
2. Provide and document employee training. As always, training must be provided to employees in a language and manner that they readily understand. The training must include information on:
   1. Symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure;
   2. Acute and chronic health effects that may result from wildfire smoke exposure;
   3. The employee’s right to report health issues related to wildfire smoke exposure and obtain medical treatment, all without fear of retaliation;
   4. The employer’s methods to protect employees from wildfire smoke, e.g., by providing respirators; and more.
3. Implement a two-way communication system between employees and supervisors, so that information can be shared about changes to air quality in the work area, how to access exposure controls, and whether medical attention is needed for exposed employees.
4. Implement engineering and administrative controls to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 35.5 µg/m3 (AQI 101). Such controls may include moving workers indoors or making schedule changes that reduce employee exposure.
5. Provide NIOSH-approved filtering face piece respirators for voluntary use to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 35.5 µg/m3 (AQI 101). NIOSH-approved filtering face piece respirators appropriate for wildfire smoke protection include: N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99, and P100.
6. Provide NIOSH-approved filtering face piece respirators for mandatory use to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 200.9 µg/m3 (AQI 277) by implementing a Wildfire Smoke Respiratory Protection Program in accordance with Appendix A of the Protection from Wildfire Smoke standards.
7. Provide NIOSH-approved respirators for mandatory use to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 500.4 µg/m3 (AQI 849) by implementing a Respiratory Protection Program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 or Oregon Administrative Rule 437-004-1041.

For more information, click the links to the Oregon Administrative Rules below.

Related information

• ezExplanation — Wildfire smoke
• What is wildfire smoke? 
• What is the Air Quality Index (AQI) for wildfire smoke?  

Citations

• Oregon Admin. Rule 437-002-1081 – Protection from Wildfire Smoke (General Occupational Safety and Health Rules)
• Oregon Admin. Rule 437-004-9791 – Protection from Wildfire Smoke (Agriculture)
• Federal regulation 29 USC 654