Safety Policies and Procedures Manual
Chapter 2: General Workplace Safety

Working During Wildfire Smoke Events

SPPM 2.63

For more information contact:
   Environmental Health and Safety
   509-335-3041 / ehsweb@wsu.edu

1.0  Overview and Applicability

This policy references WAC 296-820 and applies to all workplaces, including those with agricultural activity, where employees are assigned to work outdoors during wildfire smoke events. This policy does not apply to:

  • Enclosed buildings or structures where exterior openings such as doors and windows are kept closed except when necessary to enter or exit.
  • Enclosed vehicles where the air is filtered by a cabin air filter and doors and windows are kept closed except when necessary to enter or exit. Buses and other vehicles used for transit systems where doors are frequently opened for passengers are not included under this exemption.
  • Fire fighters.
  • Workers performing prescribed burns.

2.0  Definitions

Air Quality Index (AQI). A unitless index used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to communicate air quality for several pollutants, including PM 2.5.

Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5). Solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air, known as particulate matter, with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller. Measured in micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3).

3.0  Responsibilities

3.1   Campus Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Pullman, Spokane, Vancouver, Tri-Cities, and Everett campus EHS notify departments/units and personnel by e-mail when wildfire smoke affects outdoor air quality at the following PM 2.5 concentrations or AQI values/action levels:

  • When two consecutive hourly PM 2.5 concentrations meet or exceed 20.5 ug/m3 or an AQI value of 69.
  • When PM 2.5 concentrations meet or exceed 35.5 ug/m3 or an AQI value of 101.
  • When PM 2.5 concentrations meet or exceed 250.5 ug/m3 or an AQI value of 301.
  • When PM 2.5 concentrations meet or exceed 500.4 ug/m3 or an AQI value of 500.
  • When PM 2.5 concentrations meet or exceed 555 ug/m3, beyond the AQI.

Campus EHS notifications identify resources for departments/units, supervisors, and employees to obtain current PM 2.5 concentrations or AQI values.

Campuses with PM 2.5 monitors designated by the EPA as Federal Reference or Equivalent Method monitors for PM 2.5 may reference that monitoring data for comparison to the notification concentrations/action levels. The previous hour’s reported PM 2.5 concentration is used for comparison. Campuses without air quality monitors reference the Washington Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network, or may identify another suitable source of air quality information in consultation with EHS.

Campus EHS 20.5 ug/m3 and 35.5 ug/m3 PM 2.5 concentration notifications are issued once per wildfire smoke event, after which departments/units, supervisors, and employees must self-monitor for adherence to this policy using the resources identified by campus EHS. Campus EHS provides daily notifications for the 250.5 ug/m3 action level and above.

3.2   Campus Facilities Services/Operations

Pullman, Spokane, Vancouver, Tri-Cities and Everett campus Facilities Services/Operations operate facility heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to reduce indoor PM 2.5 concentrations wherever feasible (e.g., placing building HVAC systems on recirculation mode).

Campus Facilities Services/Operations works with building occupants to keep windows, doors, bays, and other exterior openings closed, except when opened to enter or exit.

3.3   Research Extension Centers (REC)

REC directors or their designees (e.g., facility/farm managers) notify REC departments/units and personnel by e-mail when wildfire smoke affects outdoor air quality at the concentrations or AQI values/action levels identified in Section 3.1. REC notifications identify resources for departments/units, supervisors, and employees to obtain current PM 2.5 concentrations or AQI values.

RECs with PM 2.5 monitors designated by the EPA as Federal Reference or Equivalent Method monitors for PM 2.5 may reference that monitoring data for comparison to the notification concentrations/action levels. The previous hour’s reported PM 2.5 concentration is used for comparison. RECs without air quality monitors reference the Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network, or may identify another suitable source of air quality information in consultation with EHS.

REC 20.5 ug/m3 and 35.5 ug/m3 PM 2.5 concentration notifications are issued once per wildfire smoke event, after which departments/units, supervisors, and employees must self-monitor for adherence to this policy using the resources identified by REC directors or their designees. RECs provide daily notifications for the 250.5 ug/m3 action level and above.

REC facility managers operate facility HVAC systems to reduce indoor PM 2.5 concentrations wherever feasible (e.g., placing building HVAC systems on recirculation mode).

REC facility managers work with building occupants to keep windows, doors, bays, and other exterior openings closed, except when opened to enter or exit.

3.4   Departments/Units

Departments and units are responsible for enforcement of this policy, including the requirements identified in Section 4.2 for principal investigators (PIs), supervisors, managers, leads, and employees.

Departments and units must establish effective methods for communicating wildfire smoke concentration/AQI notifications to affected employees without access to e-mail.

Department chairs, directors, and unit supervisors, coordinators, and managers not located on a campus or REC must reference the Department of Ecology’s Air Monitoring Network to fulfill the notification requirements identified for campus EHS. Air monitoring and notification questions may be directed to EHS; telephone 509-335-3041; e-mail ehsweb@wsu.edu.

4.0  Requirements

4.1   Departments and Units

Departments and units with outdoor workers must encourage employees to:

  • Report worsening air quality due to wildfire smoke,
  • Inform their supervisor when they, or their coworkers, exhibit symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure (see Section 5.0), and
  • Seek medical treatment when needed without fear of retaliation.

Departments and units with outdoor workers must review the requirements based on
PM 2.5 concentrations/AQI action levels in Sections 4.1.a through 4.1.d and prepare in advance of wildfire smoke events.

Note: Under this policy, respirator use is encouraged but not required. If departments/ units/supervisors require employee respirator use, the employee(s) must be enrolled in WSU’s respiratory protection program (see SPPM 2.62).

4.1.a    When PM 2.5 Concentrations Reach 20.5 ug/m3

When PM 2.5 concentrations reach 20.5 ug/m3, departments and units are encouraged to provide affected employees N95 filtering facepiece respirators for voluntary use.

4.1.b    When PM 2.5 Concentrations Reach 35.5 ug/m3

When PM 2.5 concentrations reach 35.5 ug/m3, departments and units must provide affected employees N95 filtering facepiece respirators for voluntary use and encourage respirator use.

Departments and units may directly distribute N95 respirators to affected employees, or maintain a supply of N95 respirators and inform affected employees where respirators may be obtained at their work location.

4.1.c    When PM 2.5 Concentrations Reach 250.5 ug/m3

When PM 2.5 concentrations reach 250.5 ug/m3, departments and units must:

  • Directly distribute N95 respirators to affected employees.
  • Ensure affected workers experiencing symptoms necessitating immediate medical attention are moved to a location with clean air until medical care arrives.

    A location with clean air includes, but is not limited to, an enclosed building with HVAC on recirculation mode or an enclosed vehicle with air on recirculation mode. Departments and units must identify these locations and communicate them to supervisors of affected employees in advance. (See also SPPM 2.20.)>

    Contact the campus EHS for assistance identifying facility locations with clean air:

    • WSU Everett Facilities and Emergency Management; telephone 425-315-4014; website WSUE Facilities Requests
    • WSU Pullman EHS; telephone 509-335-3041; e-mail ehsweb@wsu.edu
    • WSU Spokane EHS; telephone 509-335-9564; website WSUS EHS
    • WSU Spokane EHS also provides information and assistance to WSU Health Sciences—Yakima (which includes College of Nursing—Yakima and College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences—Yakima).
    • WSU Tri-Cities EHS; telephone 509-372-7163; website WSUTC EHS Contact Us
    • WSU Vancouver EH&S; telephone 360-546-9706; website WSUV Facilities Services
  • Establish provisions for prompt medical attention when employees display adverse symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure (See also SPPM 2.20.)
 4.1.d    When PM 2.5 Concentrations Reach 500.4 ug/m3

When PM 2.5 concentrations reach 500.4 ug/m3, respiratory protection is required for outdoor work and affected employees must be enrolled in WSU’s respiratory protection program, including medical clearance to wear a respirator, training, and fit testing. (See SPPM 2.62.)

PM 2.5 concentrations of 500.4 ug/m3 or above occur infrequently. Departments and units with essential affected personnel may contact EHS for additional information; telephone 509-335-3041; e-mail ehsweb@wsu.edu.

4.2   Principal Investigators, Supervisors, Managers and Leads

Principal investigators (PIs), supervisors, managers, and leads must:

  • Monitor air quality and notify employees assigned to work at remote off-site locations when PM 2.5 concentrations or AQI values reach action levels (See Section 3.1).
  • Ensure that affected employees understand where to obtain PM 2.5 concentrations or AQI values for comparison with the notification concentrations/action levels.
  • Ensure that affected employees understand where to obtain N95 respirators or must distribute N95 respirators and encourage employees to voluntarily wear respirators. (See Section 4.1.)

    Note: Respirator use is not voluntary if departments/units/supervisors require respirator use. This policy encourages but does not require employees to wear respirators. When departments/units/supervisors require respirator use, employees must be enrolled in WSU’s respiratory protection program (SPPM 2.62).

  • Encourage employees to inform them when they encounter worsening air quality related to wildfire smoke.
  • Encourage employees to report symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure and to seek medical treatment when needed referencing department/unit leave policies without fear of reprisal. (See Section 5.0.)
  • Encourage employees to work with HRS Disability Services in advance of wildfire smoke events to arrange accommodations reducing wildfire smoke exposure if they have medical conditions such as:
    •  Asthma,
    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),
    • Heart disease,
    • Circulatory problems,
    • Respiratory infections,
    • Diabetes, or
    • Are pregnant.
  • Move employees experiencing symptoms requiring immediate medical attention to a location with clean air until medical care arrives.

    A location with clean air includes, but is not limited to, an enclosed building or vehicle with sufficiently filtered air. (See also SPPM 2.20.)

PIs, supervisors, managers, and leads must:

  • Ensure that affected employees and supervisors of affected employees complete wildfire smoke training annually, available through Human Resource Services’ Percipio Learning System. (See Section 6.0.)
  • Consider assigning or rotating outdoor workers to indoor work in facilities with improved air quality.

4.3   Employees

Employees must:

  • Inform their supervisor when they encounter worsening air quality related to wildfire smoke.
  • Immediately inform their supervisor when they are experiencing symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure, and if they must leave work to seek medical attention.
  • Operate enclosed vehicles with windows closed and air on recirculation mode whenever feasible.
  • Complete wildfire smoke training annually. (See Section 6.1.)

5.0  Symptoms and Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke Exposure

5.1   General Symptoms

The following symptoms may be related to wildfire smoke exposure:

  • Cough
  • Runny or irritated nose
  • Sore throat
  • Sinus pain or pressure
  • Phlegm
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Headache
  • Scratchy or irritated eyes
  • Fatigue or tiredness

5.2   Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention

The following symptoms may be related to wildfire smoke exposure and may require immediate medical attention:

  • Symptoms indicating a possible a heart attack, such as:
    • Chest pain or discomfort
    • Feeling weak, light-headed, faint, or dizzy
    • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back
    • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders
    • Shortness of breath, especially if accompanied by chest discomfort
    • Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or lack of coordination
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause
  • Wheezing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath, particularly when accompanied by greater use of accessory muscles
  • Asthma attacks
  • Nausea or vomiting.

6.0  Training

6.1   Supervisors

Prior to supervising affected employees, supervisors must:

  • Understand this policy and SPPM 2.20.
  • Work with department or unit leadership or EH&S to identify a location with clean air, such as an enclosed building or vehicle with sufficiently filtered air to move employees requiring immediate medical attention until medical care arrives. (See also SPPM 2.20.)
  • Complete wildfire smoke training before working outdoors during wildfire smoke events and annually thereafter.

Wildfire smoke training is available online through the Human Resource Services Percipio Learning System using the following steps:

  • Select Library (top left of screen);
  • Select WSU Catalog;
  • Select Environmental Health and Safety (EHS);
  • Select the Wildfire Smoke tile.

6.2   Employees

Affected employees must complete wildfire smoke training before working outdoors during wildfire smoke events and annually thereafter.

Wildfire smoke training is available online through the Human Resource Services Percipio Learning System using the following steps:

  • Select Library (top left of screen);
  • Select WSU Catalog;
  • Select Environmental Health and Safety (EHS);
  • Select the Wildfire Smoke tile.

7.0  Additional Resources

Washington Department of Ecology Air Monitoring Network website

WAC 296-820:  Department of Labor and Industries–Wildfire smoke.

SPPM 6.56: Wildfire Smoke
(Resources and recommendations applicable to all members of the public, including nonemployees and employees)

Environmental Health and Safety WSU Air Quality website

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Revisions:  April 2024 – new policy (Rev. 143)