As regional wildfire events affect local ambient air quality, Stanford University actively monitors the effects of wildfire smoke particle pollution on the campus community.
General Tips:
In the event of a wildfire smoke event, all members of the campus community are encouraged to take the following common-sense steps to address their personal health and comfort:
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity where possible.
- For more susceptible populations including older adults, children, and those with pulmonary/respiratory conditions, minimize time spent outdoors.
- When indoors, keep windows and doors closed.
- In vehicles, use air-recirculation mode.
- Drink plenty of water to help minimize potential irritation.
N95 respirators are currently in short supply due to increasing demand for PPE for frontline medical workers, as a result of COVID-19.
For additional information, review the Protection from Wildfire Smoke Awareness Training and N95 Respirator Use handout below.
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Supervisor Responsibilities:
As indicated by Cal/OSHA, Supervisor responsibilities for Employees assigned more than 1 hour of work outdoors (or indoors without air filtration) per work shift during a wildfire smoke event include:
- Check the current AQI before and periodically during the workday, AND
- If the current AQI for PM2.5 is 151 or more:
- Provide wildfire smoke awareness training to affected employees
- Alert Employees the AQI has reached an unhealthy level and instruct them specific protective measures they must take.
- Encourage employees, without fear of reprisal, to report back when the air quality is getting worse, or if they are suffering from any symptoms due to air quality.
- Offer voluntary N95 respirators, and encourage their safe use.
