Wildfire smoke creates health risks for outdoor workers in Central California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Smoke is hanging successful the aerial crossed California arsenic ample wildfires proceed to burn.

For some, avoiding the atrocious aerial by staying indoors isn't an option.

Many operation and cultivation workers were connected the occupation outdoors Friday.

MAP: See wherever California wildfires are burning close now

Cal/OSHA's Protection from Wildfire Smoke modular requires employers to support workers from unhealthy aerial owed to wildfire smoke.

If the Air Quality Index, oregon AQI, for PM 2.5 (particulate substance with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers oregon less), rises supra 151, employers indispensable marque accommodations. Those see moving enactment to a determination with healthier air, adjusting duties oregon schedules to trim exposure, and providing masks.

"Above 151, they request to connection respiratory protection, specified arsenic an N95, for voluntary use," said Edgar Gonzalez with Cal/OSHA's Agricultural Enforcement Task Force. "But anterior to that, they should amended their employees connected what they're going to bash erstwhile conditions commencement rising, what the aerial prime scale means, and what rights employees person to inquire for specified protections."

When the AQI for PM 2.5 exceeds 500, respirator usage is required.

RELATED: Tracking each wildfire burning passim Central California

Heather Heinks with the Valley Air District said it's important for everyone to wage attraction to smoke, careless of the AQI.

"If you tin odor it, careless of what our show says, it is impacting you," Heinks said. "Smoke travels successful plumes. It could easy miss a show and deed a neighborhood. So spot your instincts archetypal and foremost. And yeah, there's astir apt not a bully clip to spell extracurricular successful a fixed time unless you're checking aerial prime to spot what conditions are."

Daily aerial prime forecasts and much accusation tin beryllium recovered connected the Valley Air District's website.

In California, it is amerciable for employers to retaliate against workers for refusing to enactment successful unsafe conditions, including successful evacuation zones.

If you person concerns astir your employer, Cal/OSHA says you tin taxable an anonymous tip.

For quality updates, travel Kate Nemarich connected Facebook, X and Instagram.