Cal/OSHA is urging employers to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. Currently, the Line Fire is impacting air quality in areas around San Bernardino and Riverside counties, but wildfires can start at any anywhere in the State without a moment’s notice.

What you need to know:

• When wildfire smoke might affect a worksite, monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5.
• Where the AQI for PM2.5 is above 150, provide respirators and encourage their use.
• Where the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500, respirator use is required.
• Air quality can be tracked through the U.S. EPA’s AirNow website or app.
• Employers can also use their own instruments to measure PM2.5 at worksites.

Go to www.airnow.gov to look up the AQI at your worksite or to download the app (under the ‘Resources’ tab). Do this now so you’ll be ready to go when a wildfire strikes.