Here’s a summary of the Oregon OSHA’s permanent rules for protection from wildfire smoke:

Oregon OSHA has adopted permanent rules (OAR 437-002-1081 and OAR 437-004-9791) to protect workers exposed to hazardous levels of wildfire smoke. These rules apply to employers whose employees face wildfire smoke risks. The rules are based on PM2.5 concentrations, which measure particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. Wildfire smoke contains harmful chemicals and tiny particles that can cause health issues.

With large-scale wildfire events across the western United States becoming more frequent, wildfire smoke is an increasing danger to Oregon workers. The harmful chemicals and tiny particles suspended in wildfire smoke can make anyone sick. The tiny particles of most concern and addressed in these standards is the particulate matter with a diameter in micrometers of 2.5 or less, commonly referred to as PM2.5.

Mild symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure include coughing, runny nose, and eye irritation and inflammation, while more serious health effects include trouble breathing, asthma attacks, reduced lung function, chest pain, and heart attacks.

Key Requirements:

1. Threshold Levels: The rules specify exposure thresholds measured in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) of PM2.5. The updated Air Quality Index (AQI) system does not change these thresholds.
2. Exemptions: The standards do not apply to enclosed buildings with filtered air, employers suspending operations to prevent exposure, or employees working from home.
3. Partial Exemptions: Certain activities (e.g., wildland firefighting, evacuation, and medical operations) have partial exemptions.
4. Total Exposure: Work activities with intermittent exposure of less than 15 minutes per hour to PM2.5 levels above 35.5 μg/m³ (AQI 101) are partially exempt.

1. Assess and monitor air quality at each work location where employees are exposed
2. Provide and document employee training
3. Implement two-way communication system
4. Implement engineering and administrative controls to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 35.5 µg/m3 (AQI 101)
5. Provide NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators for voluntary use to employees exposed to PM2.5 levels at or above 35.5 µg/m3 (AQI 101)
6. Provide NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece 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 standard
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 OAR 437-004-1041

Remember, with increasing wildfire events, protecting workers from smoke exposure is crucial. For more details, refer to the fact sheet.