Agenda: Wildfire Smoke Procedures
Review of last meeting approved: Yes
Corrections:--
Unfinished business from last meeting: --
Incidents/Safety:--
Wildfire smoke need to know
points:
·
PPM: Parts per million—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). They are small enough to be taken up into a person’s blood
stream from the lungs and cause many significant side effects.
·
AQI: Air quality index--Air Quality Index (AQI).
A unitless index used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
communicate air quality for several pollutants, including PM2.5. References to
the AQI used throughout this chapter means the "Air Now NowCast AQI for
PM2.5."
·
NowCast. The method used by the EPA and the
Washington state department of ecology to approximate the air quality for the
most current hour available by using a calculation that involves multiple hours
of past data. The NowCast uses longer averages during periods of stable air
quality and shorter averages when air quality is changing rapidly, such as
during a wildfire. The NowCast is generally updated every hour.
·
Who does this apply to and when (those who work
outside for more than 15 minutes daily)
·
If the AQI goes to 301 or above at your location, HeatGuy, Llc. will move
workers to another site with a lower AQI or stop work and send workers home. This is the point where mandatory use of respirators is
required by WA state, but HeatGuy, Llc. considers this level of smoke too risky
to continue work in with just a respirator.
The current PM2.5 for worksites using one of the
following:
(a) Washington department of
ecology website;
(b) Air Quality WA mobile app;
(c) Washington smoke information
website;
(d) U.S. EPA Fire and Smoke Map;
(e) U.S. EPA AirNow website;
(f) U.S. EPA AirNow mobile app;
(g) U.S. Forest Service AirFire
website; or
(h) Local clean air agency
website.
(i) Obtain PM2.5 forecasts and the current
PM2.5 directly from the Washington state department of ecology, U.S. EPA, U.S.
EPA EnviroFlash.info, or local clean air agency by telephone, email, text, or
other effective method.
HeatGuy, Llc will use a combination of the above but most
often will use the Airnow app and text in the HeatGuy News and Safety chat if
AQI looks like it might be above 69 in the areas we are working. Because
schedules change, causing last minute site changes, crew leads or those working
solo will also need to use one of the above methods to determine AQI at each of
their job sites. Crew lead must note the
AQI on the JHA at the beginning of their shift.
Workers who go to 2 or more sites a day must determine
AQI at each job site although they will not be required to fill out a JHA (in
accordance with WA state law).
If AQI seems to be worsening, workers are to use the
above referenced methods to determine current AQI and may choose to wear N95
respirators which HeatGuy, Llc. will provide. Workers must also notify
management of worsening AQI. Management
may respond with instructions which may include moving to a site with a lower
AQI or sending workers home.
If a worker or anyone in their crew begins to experience
symptoms related to poor AQI, they must call management immediately. Medical
attention is encouraged if even mild symptoms become bothersome to the
individual. Cardiovascular, stroke
symptoms and some asthma attacks require immediate medical attention; dial 911
first, then management.
Symptoms include:
Respiratory:
• Cough;
• Difficulty breathing;
• Wheezing;
• Shortness of breath,
particularly when accompanied by greater use of accessory muscles;
• Asthma attack;
• Runny nose;
• Sore throat;
• Sinus pain or pressure; or
• Phlegm;
• Headache; scratchy or
irritated eyes; fatigue or tiredness.
Cardiovascular:
Catch the signs early
Don’t wait to get help if you experience any heart attack warning signs.
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but others start slowly, with mild
pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience:
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the
center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away
and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing,
fullness or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the
upper body. Symptoms can
include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or
stomach.
- Shortness of breath. This can occur with or without chest discomfort.
- Other signs. Other possible signs include breaking out in
a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
- From: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack
Stroke Symptoms
Watch for Sudden:
- NUMBNESS or weakness of face, arm, or leg, especially
on one side of the body
- CONFUSION, trouble speaking or understanding speech
- TROUBLE SEEING in one or both eyes
- TROUBLE WALKING, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- SEVERE HEADACHE with no known cause
F.A.S.T. Warning Signs
Use the letters in F.A.S.T. to spot a Stroke
- F = Face Drooping – Does one side
of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's
smile uneven?
- A = Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak
or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift
downward?
- S = Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred?
- T = Time to call 911 – Stroke is an
emergency. Every minute counts. Call 911 immediately. Note the time when
any of the symptoms first appear.
The importance,
benefits, and limitations of using a properly fitted respirator when exposed to
wildfire smoke;
A well-fitted respirator can help reduce
exposure to fine particles in wildfire smoke by at least 10 times and up to
90%, but it doesn't protect against smoke gases. Respirators are masks
that fit tightly around your face, covering your nose, mouth, and chin, and
filter out particles before you breathe them in. Respirators like N95,
KN95, or KF94 that are NIOSH-certified or equivalent are recommended. For
proper fit, both straps must be positioned correctly, the noseclip must be formed
firmly, and the wearer should be clean-shaven. If the mask doesn't fit
properly, it may provide little or no protection and can also make it harder to
breathe.
Fashion Beauty Tape (double sided tape) is an
approved method to improve the fit of a medical grade respirator and is
available for a reasonable price on amazon.com.
Donning procedures
·
Each manufacturer provides instructions for
putting on their respirator models. These instructions should be followed
exactly.
·
Seal checks
·
Tight-fitting respirators should be checked for
a proper seal each time they are put on. To do this, cover the respirator
with your hands to prevent air from passing through, then gently exhale or
inhale. If you feel air, the respirator may not fit properly and should be
adjusted. (Use fashion tape mentioned above).
·
Maintenance
·
N95s are single use respirators and should be
disposed of properly as noted below.
General N95 Respirator Precautions
- People with chronic respiratory, cardiac, or other
medical conditions that make breathing difficult should check with their
health care provider before using an N95 respirator because the N95
respirator can make it more difficult for the wearer to breathe.
- Some models have exhalation valves that can make
breathing out easier and help reduce heat build-up. Note that N95
respirators with exhalation valves should not be used when sterile
conditions are needed.
- All FDA-cleared N95 respirators are labeled as
"single-use," disposable devices. If your respirator is damaged
or soiled, or if breathing becomes difficult, you should remove the
respirator, discard it properly, and replace it with a new one. To safely
discard your N95 respirator, place it in a plastic bag and put it in the
trash. Wash your hands after handling the used respirator.
- N95 respirators are not designed for children or
people with facial hair. Because a proper fit cannot be achieved on
children and people with facial hair, the N95 respirator may not provide
full protection.
Reply with 👍 or something like it to confirm attendance.
Next meeting: 07.29.2024, about 2:30 p.m., virtual.
Is our Accident and Illness plan working? Yes. See: https://secure.lni.wa.gov/verify/Details/workersCompRates.aspx?UBI=602691268&LIC=HEATGL*911MO&VIO=&SAW=false&ACCT=88550302 --Employer’s claim costs are lower than average.
Worksite locations: Variable/multiple
Minutes written by: Corinna Fritz
Meeting Leader: Corinna Fritz
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