PSU Wildfire Smoke Protection Program
This program has been established to provide information for employees potentially working during wildfire smoke incidents which exceed an AQI of 101 for PM2.5 (considered the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category) and meets the requirements of Oregon OSHA Rule for Protection from Wildfire Smoke (OAR 437-002-1081).
Exceptions to this program include:
- Workplaces and operations in enclosed buildings and structures where the air is filtered by mechanical ventilation
- Work or operations in enclosed vehicles where the air is filtered by a cabin air filter
- Work activities partially exempt include activities involving intermittent exposures of less than 15 minutes in an hour to wildfire smoke levels for PM2.5 at or above AQI 101, for a total exposure of less than one hour in a single 24-hour period
PSU Wildfire Smoke Protection Program
Appendix A: Wildfire Smoke Key Requirements for Exposure Level Checklist
Use of Respirators for Wildfire Smoke Exposures
For exposures of PM2.5 below AQI 501, the use of respirators for the purpose of protection from wildfire smoke exposure does not require inclusion in the PSU Respiratory Protection Program.
Whenever employee exposure to PM2.5 is at or above AQI 501, even after the implementation of engineering and administrative controls, employees must wear NIOSH-approved respirators that protect wearers from PM2.5. Inclusion in the full PSU Respiratory Protection Program is required, which includes a medical evaluation, respirator fit testing, and additional training.
Facial hair may prevent filtering facepiece respirators from creating an adequate seal.
CDC Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators Guide
Voluntary Use of Respirators for PM2.5 AQI from 101-250
Employees exposed to an AQI of at least 101 may voluntarily wear a filtering facepiece respirator (N95) for protection from wildfire smoke. These respirators will be available to such employees at no cost and be readily available.
Required Use of Respirators for PM2.5 AQI from 251-500
Employees exposed to an AQI of at least 251 after the use of engineering or administrative controls, or both, are required to wear a filtering facepiece respirator (N95). These respirators will be available to such employees at no cost and readily available.
Employees required to wear filtering facepiece respirators for wildfire smoke (below PM2.5 AQI 501) must follow the Wildfire Smoke Specific Respiratory Protection Program, which may be found in section 5.4.2 of the PSU Wildfire Smoke Protection Program.
OR-OSHA How to Put On and Use an N95 Respirator Video (provided during training)
How to Obtain Filtering Facepiece Respirators
Departments should submit a Wildfire Smoke Respirator Request Form to obtain an adequate supply of N95 filtering facepiece respirators for their employees when there is a likelihood they will be exposed to wildfire smoke, based on the guidelines above for voluntary and required use.
Masks with "KN" designations, such as KN95s, are not appropriate to reduce employee exposure to wildfire smoke. Employees should be wearing NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece N95 respirators for protection from wildfire smoke.
Employees should have completed their training, as described below, prior to wearing a respirator.
Training
All employees, including new employees, supervisory, and non-supervisory employees, are required to be trained in protection from wildfire smoke before they begin work where they may be exposed to PM2.5 AQI 101 or more. This applies to all PSU employees, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and student employees.
Training is provided through PSU's Online Learning Management Software, Canvas, annually.
To self-register for training:
This training satisfies the requirements for required use of respirators for PM2.5 AQI from 251-500. It does not satisfy the training requirements for use for PM2.5 AQI above 500.