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Air Quality and Alerting

New Air Quality Requirements

Ensure your organization remains in compliance with new California air quality requirements during wildfire season

Employers in California are required to protect employees if air quality becomes unhealthy. If employers do not act, they may be subject to Cal/OSHA fines, as well as risk serious damage to their reputation. Employers must take action when the AQI for PM2.5 is 151 or greater with additional action required when the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500.

The burden of knowing when, how much, and for how long the Air Quality Index will exceed thresholds is the employer’s responsibility. Trying to monitor in-house or build a system to monitor is difficult and unreliable. Focus on COVID-19 mitigation efforts will no doubt redirect attention from concerns such as air quality compliance. AccuWeather ensures your company receives the most accurate, timely data available through a simple, turnkey monitoring service that prioritizes the health & safety of employees while also ensuring organizational compliance.

PPE shortages are expected indefinitely, amplifying the need for the most accurate alerts in order to protect while conserving these essential supplies.

Alerts Overview

AccuWeather meteorologists monitor your specific asset locations, 24/7. We then send site-specific, proactive warnings - when the AQI PM2.5 will be 151 or greater and when PM2.5 will be 500 or greater. 

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These alerts - delivered through the same SkyGuard® warning system within the AccuWeather For Business Portal and Mobile App - will notify those who need to take further action to mitigate air quality risk at the location(s) affected. 

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Cal/OSHA Requirements

The thresholds are directly tied into the levels for which actions are required by Cal/OSHA. Alerts and warnings will include start/stop times and integrate a company's standard operating procedures.

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All-Clear Notification

When the AQI has dropped below the thresholds defined above, an all-clear notification is sent indicating that the location can return to normal operations.

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What are the risks?

Drought -> Wildfire -> AQI Exceedance

AccuWeather Long-Range forecasters accurately predicted this year's very dry and active wildfire season. Given the significant wildfire impacts this season, many companies are finding themselves caught off-guard and scrambling to comply with Cal/OSHA law.

Wildfire Smoke Health Risks

Smoke from wildfires contains chemicals, gases, and fine particles that can harm health. The greatest hazard comes from breathing fine particles, which can reduce lung function, worsen asthma and other existing heart and lung conditions, and cause coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing, according to Cal/OSHA.

Protection Basics - Based on Cal/OSHA Standards

Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 0 to 50. Levels of Health Concern: Good. Levels of Health Concern: 0 to 12.0. Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 51 to 100. Levels of Health Concern: Moderate. Levels of Health Concern: 12.1 to 35.4. Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 101 to 50. Levels of Health Concern: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. Levels of Health Concern: 35.5 to 55.4. Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 151 to 200. Levels of Health Concern: Unhealthy. Levels of Health Concern: 55.5 to 150.4. Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 201 to 300. Levels of Health Concern: Very Unhealthy. Levels of Health Concern: 150.5 to 250.4. Air Quality Index (AQI) Categories for PM2.5: 301 to 500. Levels of Health Concern: Hazardous. Levels of Health Concern: 250.5 to 500.4.

If the AQI for PM2.5 is 151 or greater, employers must take the following steps to protect employees:

  • Communication – Inform employees of the AQI for PM2.5 and what protective measures available to them.
  • Respiratory protection – Provide proper respiratory protection equipment, such as disposable respirators, for voluntary use. Respirators must be labeled N-95, N-99, N-100, R-95, \P-95, P-99, or P-100.
  • Changes – Implement changes to work procedures or schedules such as changing the location where employees work or reducing the amount of time they are exposed to unfiltered outdoor air.
  • Modifications – Implement modifications to the workplace, if feasible, to reduce exposure. Examples include providing enclosed structures or vehicles for employees to work in, where the air is filtered.

NOTE: If the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500, respirator use is required. Employers must ensure employees use respirators and implement a respiratory protection program as required in California’s respiratory standard.

AccuWeather’s air quality alerting warnings are tied directly to these thresholds - so you will be alerted on a location by location basis when the above actions are required and just as soon as you can resume normal operations when air quality has improved.

 

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