Wildfire smoke as an air quality health risk isn’t new to Asia or West Coast states including California. But for many companies it’s a new employee issue.
Companies have a duty to provide a safe work environment
Employees who don't feel safe due to the air quality can register a complaint with OSHA, and OSHA could start an investigation, Sara H. Jodka, a labor and employment attorney and member at law firm Dickinson Wright, wrote in email comments. For indoor workers, this could mean upgrading older ventilation and filtration systems and perhaps using portable filtration units, as needed, when conditions are particularly bad. While OSHA doesn't prescribe one specific measure, it provides ventilation and filtration recommendations and other resources on its
While the California regulation mainly applies to outdoor workers, even companies with indoor workspaces could fall under the requirements if they don't meet the threshold for exemption, Banks said. One way a company could be exempt is if its enclosed buildings or structures have air filtered by a mechanical ventilation system and windows, doors, bays and other openings are kept closed, except for necessary entrances and exits.
from The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, a professional association, as a resource.There are other seemingly small things companies can do to make it easier for employees dealing with poor air quality issues.
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