Wildfire Smoke Is a Workplace Hazard. Don’t Ignore It.
The SMART-TD union published the best article about the hazard of wildfire smoke so far. I copied and edited it for CTA workers below. Across much of the Midwest and Eastern part of the country, wildfire smoke is creating dangerous air quality conditions that are affecting millions of people. For CTA workers on trains, shops, the tracks, in yards, on the ground, or anywhere outdoors, this isn’t just another weather event. It’s a workplace hazard. Wildfire Smoke Is More Than an Inconvenience The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has warned employers that wildfire smoke can present serious health risks for outdoor workers and has urged employers to have plans in place to protect employees when air quality deteriorates. OSHA recommends monitoring air quality through the EPA’s AirNow system , reducing strenuous work when conditions worsen, providing breaks in cleaner air whenever possible, and allowing the voluntary use of appropriate NIOSH-app...
