Statutes, codes, and regulations
Washington Administrative Code
Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of
Chapter 296-820 - Wildfire Smoke
Section 296-820-815 - Identification of harmful exposures

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-820-815

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Current through Register Vol. 24-23, December 1, 2024
Section 296-820-815 - Identification of harmful exposures

The employer must determine the current PM2.5 for worksites covered by WAC 296-820-805 through 296-820-860 periodically as needed. The employer may use any of the following methods to determine employee exposures such that they are able to comply with the requirements in WAC 296-820-805 through 296-820-860:

(1) Check PM2.5 forecasts and the current PM2.5 from any of the following:
(a) Washington department of ecology website;
(b) Air Quality WA mobile app;
(c) Washington smoke information website;
(d) U.S. EPA Fire and Smoke Map;
(e) U.S. EPA AirNow website;
(f) U.S. EPA AirNow mobile app;
(g) U.S. Forest Service AirFire website; or (h) Local clean air agency website.
(2) Obtain PM2.5 forecasts and the current PM2.5 directly from the Washington state department of ecology, U.S. EPA, U.S. EPA Enviro-Flash.info, or local clean air agency by telephone, email, text, or other effective method; or
(3) Measure current PM2.5 levels at the work location in accordance with WAC 296-820-845.

The following table indicates the NowCast AQI values that may be used from the Washington state department of ecology, local clean air agency, or EPA to comply with this section:

CURRENT PM2.5

NOWCAST AIR QUALITY INDEX FOR PM2.5(AQI)

20.5 µg/m3

69

35.5 µg/m3

101

250.5 µg/m3

301

500.4 µg/m3

500

555 µg/m3

Beyond the AQI

Notes:

* The current PM2.5 is updated hourly.

* Employers are not responsible for tracking employee exposures outside of working hours.

Wash. Admin. Code § 296-820-815

Adopted by WSR 24-01-070, Filed 12/14/2023, effective 1/15/2024