MN Air Quality: 2023 Canadian Wildfires and Outdoor Workers

To date, there have been 23 air quality alerts in Minnesota this year due to Canadian wildfires. MNLA has received some questions about how businesses are adjusting given these unusual conditions. When talking with attorney Patrick McGuiness of Zlimen and McGuiness, PLLC, we learned that employers have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment.

OSHA indicates that the most significant hazard from wildfire smoke is exposure to particulate matter and advises that employers should prepare for and plan to implement procedures to reduce exposures to smoke when necessary.

Protective measures to reduce smoke exposure for outdoor workers can include:

• Frequent monitoring of air quality conditions using a source such as the EPA's AirNow.
• Relocating or rescheduling work tasks to smoke-free areas.
• Reducing levels of physical activity, especially strenuous and heavy work.
• Requiring and encouraging workers to take breaks in smoke-free places when possible.
• When possible, making accommodations for employees to work inside with proper HVAC systems and high efficiency air filters.
• Providing or allowing the use of NIOSH-approved respirators for voluntary use, when not otherwise required. When allowing respirators for voluntary use, employers must provide employees with the advisory information in Appendix D of OSHA’s Respirator Protection Standard. 

In addition to researching the legal requirements, we informally surveyed several MNLA members about adjustments they have made based on the unusual haze this summer. Several indicated that they are tracking daily air quality alerts to help make informed decisions. Others are providing masks or respirators for voluntary use by employees and training them on appropriate uses. Some said they are reducing strenuous activities on poor air quality days or changing work locations or hours for the day if necessary.

While every green industry business will have to decide for themselves how to navigate the air quality issues, providing a safe working environment is every employers’ responsibility.