Wildfire smoke now affects far more than burn zones, exposing outdoor and semi-outdoor workers in construction, transportation, utilities, and general industry to unhealthy fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅). Employers that integrate real-time monitoring with clear exposure controls can protect health and keep projects moving when smoke waves arrive. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosts the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, a real-time decision tool that displays PM₂.₅ and smoke plumes; supervisors can use it to modify schedules, move work indoors, or trigger respiratory protection protocols when AQI rises (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2024).

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reminds employers they are responsible for protecting workers from wildfire hazards, recommending exposure-control plans that combine engineering controls, administrative measures, and appropriate respirators when smoke is present (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 2024). For planning beyond today’s conditions, NOAA’s Hazard Mapping System provides daily smoke analyses useful for anticipating AQI impacts and arranging work or shelter plans in advance (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2024).

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) now provides a dedicated page for outdoor workers on wildland fire smoke, including health effects, exposure reduction tactics, and respirator considerations replacing older URLs that are no longer maintained (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2024). When AQI or on-site monitors indicate elevated PM₂.₅, employers can combine source avoidance, work/rest and sheltering strategies, and NIOSH-approved respirators (e.g., N95 filtering facepiece respirators) selected and fitted under a compliant respiratory protection program.

To move from reactive to resilient, EHS leaders should embed these controls into the four pillars of safety. Safety & health training covers AQI interpretation and symptom reporting. Hazard prevention & control adds portable air cleaners for indoor areas and task relocation plans. Worksite analysis tracks trends from AirNow and local sensors to time work windows. Management commitment & employee involvement keeps communication two-way, ensuring workers know when protections change and how to access respirators or alternate tasks.

At Key Safety LLC, our Document Development for Start-up Projects builds OSHA-aligned smoke exposure SOPs and decision trees tied to AQI thresholds. Service on Demand provides rapid exposure assessments, fit-testing support, and schedule adjustments during smoke events. Regular Consultation Service maintains monitoring dashboards and seasonal drills so operations remain safe and predictable through wildfire season.

References

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2024, October 30). Wildland fire smoke: Outdoor workers.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/outdoor-workers/about/wildfire-smoke.html

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2024, May 22). Hazard Mapping System (HMS) fire and smoke product. U.S. Department of Commerce. https://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/land/hms.html

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2024, August 14). Wildfires. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/wildfires

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024, June 10). AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. https://fire.airnow.gov/