Tag: wildfires

Back to Basics: Wildfire Preparedness and Response 

Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine OSHA’s recommendations for preparing and responding to wildfires. Wildfires are becoming increasingly more common with climate change, and they cause major hazards for both people and businesses. According to the EPA, […]

OSHA Urges Businesses to Have Wildfire Evacuation Plan Ready

Once again, wildfires are a huge problem in the U.S. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, seven new large fires were reported on Sunday, which brings the national total to 91 large fires that have burned 1.8 million acres. Businesses shouldn’t wait for a wildfire to occur before putting in place an evacuation plan, […]

California wildfire

Cal/OSHA Warns Employers of Wildfire Smoke Hazards

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) on July 13 reminded employers of their obligation to comply with the state’s protection from wildfire smoke standard, which requires employers to take steps such as moving work operations, modifying work schedules, or providing proper respiratory protection such as N95 respirators in the event of wildfires. There […]

COVID-19, Wildfire Smoke, and Ventilation

Are you prepared to fully reopen your facilities during an ongoing, if waning, pandemic and the threat of wildfires this summer? States and localities are rolling back pandemic precautions as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccinations roll out across the United States–President Biden pledged May 4 that 70 percent of American adults would receive at least […]

Wildfire smoke in Washington state

Wildfire Smoke Rule in Development in Washington State

The Washington Department of Labor and Industries is developing a wildfire smoke standard. The department acknowledged receiving a petition to initiate a rulemaking for wildfire smoke exposures.

Wildfire smoke California

Where There’s Wildfire, There’s Smoke: Emergency Regulations in California Require Employers to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke

The destructive wildfires throughout California have resulted in the loss of life and property and are stretching the resources to fight them. As we progress into late summer and fall, the danger will continue. Everyone must take precautions and stay aware of weather conditions to prevent human-caused fires. This is also the time to ensure […]

Wildfire danger warning sign

Wildfire Preparation Tips for Your Organization

Wildfires can happen at any time, though changes in land use combined with the steady and continuing rise of global temperatures over the past decades have helped create the perfect environmental conditions for them to thrive. To compound the problem, more and more people are living and working in communities where the risks posed by […]