Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Division
Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality
Cal/OSHA Requirements For Outdoor Workers
In terms of Berkeley Lab, an outside worker typically refers to an employee whose nature of duties indicates that their work is primarily in the field, rather than being restricted to an office environment. Examples may include, but are not limited to Facilities trades, EHS field support staff, security staff, research field scientists, PIMD construction management staff, etc. Outside worker does not refer to workers who spend incidental time outside such as walking from building to building.
Supervisors and work leads of LBNL outdoor workers must ensure workers are complying with Cal/OSHA's Protection From Wildfire Smoke Regulation (Title 8, Section 5141.1) when outdoor EPA NowCast AQI levels are 151 or greater for one or more hours during their work shift. (Spanish version of Title 8, Section 5141.1).
Additional guidance for LBNL supervisors and work leads to reduce outdoor worker exposures:
Locate work in enclosed structures or vehicles where the air is filtered
Change procedures such as moving workers to a place with a lower current AQI
Reduce work time in areas with unfiltered air
Increase rest time and frequency and provide a rest area with filtered air
Reduce the physical intensity of the work to help lower the breathing and heart rate
Use N95 or half-face elastomeric respirators for comfort purposes under the conditions described in the “Respiratory Protection” menu selection. Click here for more information on requesting N95s for comfort purposes.
Ensure WPC activities include the wildfire smoke hazard selection and it's respective controls.