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CSTC subscribes to several News Services, one of them being Department of Industrial Relations ( DIR News ). Sunday October 27th, we received this release about "Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers to Protect Workers if the Air Quality is Unhealthy due to Wildfire Smoke". We are republishing this information to help spread this valuation information.

CAL/OSHA has proposed and adopted a new emergency regulation known as section 5141.1.  The new regulation is concerned with providing a safe work environment for outside workers when there is wildfire in the area and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) is 151 or greater.  The concern here is that wildfires can produce particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers, at this size it is too small for the body to filter out naturally.  At they are known to filter down to the deepest recesses of the lung and can cause heart and lung health issues. 

Fire Extinguishers must be inspected Monthly and serviced every year. It is always important for your Fire Extinguisher to be ready in case of a fire. You don’t have to be certified to inspect a Fire Extinguisher.

Department of Industrial Relations State of California made a News Release July 30 2019, stating — "Cal/OSHA’s emergency regulation requiring employers to protect workers from hazards associated with wildfire smoke is now in effect, following its approval yesterday by the Office of Administrative Law." 

Read more for the full news release

Living in Southern California, like a large number of our clients, friends and family, these Wildfires are affecting our air quality, and our health. As employers, this means even more responsibility for outdoor workers, and Cal OSHA issued an advisory to help keep your compliant, and your workers safe.

We have all heard the saying “if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen” well when it comes to fire safety during this season of BBQ’s and fireworks it’s not quite that simple.