Cal/OSHA advises protecting workers from wildfire smoke
Summary
Cal/OSHA issued an advisory urging California employers to protect workers from unhealthy air caused by wildfire smoke from the Springs and Crown fires in Riverside and Los Angeles counties. The advisory reminds employers of existing requirements under the Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard, including monitoring PM2.5 levels, adjusting work practices, and providing respirators. When PM2.5 AQI exceeds 150, respirators must be provided; above 500, respirator use is required.
What changed
Cal/OSHA issued an advisory (Release 2026-30) reminding California employers of existing obligations under the Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard (Title 8 CCR Section 5141.1) due to the Springs and Crown fires affecting Riverside and Los Angeles counties. The standard requires employers to monitor PM2.5 levels before and throughout work shifts using AQI data from AirNow or local air quality management districts. Respirators must be provided to all workers when PM2.5 AQI exceeds 150, and respirator use becomes mandatory when PM2.5 AQI exceeds 500.
Employers should immediately review their wildfire smoke safety protocols to ensure compliance with the existing standard. This includes having PM2.5 monitoring equipment or access to real-time AQI data, maintaining adequate N-95 respirator supplies, ensuring workers have completed required wildfire smoke safety training, and posting the required fact sheets in both English and Spanish. Employers in evacuation zones are reminded that retaliation against workers refusing unsafe work is prohibited under California law. Resources including training videos and fact sheets are available at WildfireSmokeCalifornia.org and HumodeIncendios.org.
What to do next
- Monitor PM2.5 AQI before and throughout each work shift when wildfire smoke may affect the worksite
- Provide N-95 respirators to all workers when PM2.5 AQI exceeds 150 and require respirator use when PM2.5 AQI exceeds 500
- Ensure all affected workers have completed required wildfire smoke safety training and receive the appropriate fact sheets
Source document (simplified)
ADVISORY Release Number: 2026-30 Date: April 3, 2026
Cal/OSHA urges employers to protect workers amid smoke conditions from the Springs and Crown fires
Cal/OSHA is urging employers to take important steps to protect workers from exposure to unhealthy air caused by wildfire smoke, as the Springs and Crown fires affect air quality and generate hazardous smoke that could impair workers’ health in Riverside and Los Angeles counties.
What you need to know: Cal/OSHA’s Protection from Wildfire Smoke standard requires employers to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. Employers must monitor air quality, adjust work practices, and provide N-95 respirators for voluntary use. Cal/OSHA’s standard also outlines specific training requirements. Full details, including resources in both English and Spanish, can be found at www.WildfireSmokeCalifornia.org and www.HumodeIncendios.org.
Monitoring air quality: When wildfire smoke might affect a worksite, employers must monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) for PM2.5 before and throughout the work shift.
Where the AQI for PM2.5 is above 150, the employer must provide respirators to all workers and encourage workers to use respirators. Where the AQI for PM2.5 exceeds 500, respirator use is required.
Air quality can be tracked through websites like the U.S. EPA’s AirNow or local air quality management district websites. Employers can also use their own instruments to measure PM2.5 at worksites per Cal/OSHA’s requirements.
Evacuation Zones: In California, it is illegal for employers to retaliate against workers for refusing to work in unsafe conditions, including in evacuation zones. Read more in the fact sheet Worker Safety Wildfire Smoke and Evacuation Zones.
Additional resources:
More resources for wildfire smoke safety:
- Protecting Workers Exposed to Wildfire Smoke Fact Sheet
- Spanish fact sheet Chinese (simplified) fact sheet
- Worker Safety: Wildfire and Evacuation Zones Infographic
- Spanish infographic Chinese (simplified) infographic
- Training video Wildfire Smoke Safety
- Spanish training video Refer to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) for the latest status on the fire, road closures and evacuation orders.
About Cal/OSHA
Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California.
Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.
Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424.
Cal/OSHA is a division of the California Department of Industrial Relations.
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