Wildfire smoke: keeping employees safe in low air quality

In Canada, summer often equals wildfires. The smoke these fires produce can travel thousands of kilometres impacting air quality near and far. As an employer, under health and safety legislation you are required to provide a safe working environment for your employees – even if the factors making it unsafe are beyond your control.

Duty of care

You must take all reasonable precautions to protect your employees from the impact of poor air quality. This applies whether your employees work indoors or outside. 

Symptoms of smoke exposure

Ensure your workers are aware of the symptoms of smoke exposure and know how to recognise them:

• Eye, nose, and throat irritation
• Coughing
• Headaches
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Fatigue or difficulty concentrating

If workers are outdoors

Anyone doing physical work outdoors is at the most risk. 

Consider: 

• Rescheduling outdoor work
• Moving work indoors
• Reducing strenuous tasks
• Increasing breaks
• Shortening outdoor exposure times

If workers are indoors

Wildfire smoke can enter buildings and impact workers inside.

• Keep doors and windows closed when smoke levels are high
• Ensure HVAC systems are functioning properly
• Use appropriate filtration where possible

Monitor the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)

The AQHI is a scale of 1-10+ that communicates the health risks associated with air quality. An AQHI of 1 means safe air quality, while 10+ indicates high risk air quality.  The AQHI considers events such as wildland fires, smoke, and smog, and is available for all communities across Canada. 

Have a plan

A straightforward one-page plan can help reduce confusion and demonstrate due diligence and care for your employees.

The plan could include:

• The precautions triggered at certain AQHI thresholds, for example
  • AQHI of 4-6: monitor levels, remind staff to be aware of symptoms
  • AQHI of 7-10: reduce strenuous activities, increase breaks
• Who is responsible for monitoring conditions
• Procedures for modifying work
• Communications methods
• Emergency contacts

Set your thresholds before wildfire smoke becomes an issue, this allows supervisors to make safe, consistent decisions. 

Wildfire smoke is a health and safety issue and a communications issue. Employees are more comfortable and confident when they know:

• The company is monitoring conditions
• There is a clear plan
• Their health concerns will be taken seriously
• They can speak up if they're experiencing symptoms

Have questions? CFIB members can contact a CFIB Business Advisor for help and information at 1-833-568-2342 or cfib@cfib.ca     

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