What employers need to know about smoke inhalation in the workplace

Many people who are vacationing or who just like hot weather in general enjoy it when the summer brings the sunshine and high temperatures, but this can also mean dry forests and an elevated fire risk, as it has this summer: there are fires out of control both in Ontario — which have affected air quality into the United States — and hundreds more in the Northwest Territories and parts of British Columbia, which have impacted air quality in those regions and in Alberta.

In Alberta, Edmonton & a number of central and northern areas of the province, air quality health index levels have spiked into the 8 to 10 range, which puts them in the “high risk” and even “very high risk” category, according to provincial and federal regulations and standards related to air quality. Calgary is an area of somewhat lower risk, but the winds can change.

When the air quality index reaches high risk levels, most health agencies advise that citizens limit or reschedule any physical activities that involve spending large amounts of time outside, especially when it involves symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation or shortness of breath. For older adults, young children, those who are pregnant, and outdoor workers, recommendations are that they avoid strenuous outdoor exertion and stay indoors where possible. 

Air quality is a workplace hazard and can result in acceptable workers’ compensation claims, and it is an employer’s responsibility and legal duty to protect against these hazards.

Employers are advised to keep windows and doors shut, run air conditioning systems and if possible use clean, high-efficiency filters or portable HEPA air purifiers. If work outdoors can’t be avoided, workers should use a well-fitted, N95 respirator to filter out fine particulate matter. Under both the Ontario and Alberta human rights codes, employers have a legal duty to accommodate any workers that have pre-existing conditions (such as asthma, COPD, or heart conditions) who are impacted by smoke and low air quality.

Scientists say wildfire smoke typically contains extremely dense concentrations of microscopic particles under 2.5 microns, and while air quality advisories often focus on levels of specific chemical components such as carbon monoxide, formaldehydes, or total respirable dust, there is a general duty under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for employers to treat high air quality levels (7–10+) as a workplace hazard, and they are expected to take “every precaution reasonable in the circumstances” to protect workers from smoke inhalation.

Under the Alberta OHS Code, employers must document and evaluate hazards and if necessary re-evaluate outdoor tasks, and when a Special Air Quality Statement or advisory is active, employers have to formally assess the exposure risk for any outdoor workers, especially those engaged in heavy manual labor. Under Section 31 of the Alberta OHS Act, workers have the legal right to report and refuse work if they believe high smoke levels create an undue hazard to their health, and employers cannot discipline or retaliate against a worker for exercising this right.

Working in smoky conditions for even short periods of time can cause airway irritation leading to throat soreness, chest tightness and eventually reduced lung function, and over the longer term can exacerbate pre-existing conditions including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or bronchitis. Exposure can also put a strain on the heart by making the blood vessels constrict, forcing the heart to work harder, and there is an elevated risk of heart-related events such as heart attacks, irregular rhythms and even strokes. Even one of these impacts can lead to long-term disability and claims costs for employers who ignore their responsibilities.

For advice on these and other workplace situations and their impact on your workers’ compensation claims, you can contact us directly during business hours using our chat feature or by telephone at 1-844-377-9545, or you can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, or Linkedin, or you can reach us via email at [email protected].