Wildfire Smoke Procedures

 

Safety Meeting 07222024

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

Archives of Safety Meetings may be found in Box.com under the Health and Safety file as well as at www.hgsafety.blogspot.com.