In the aftermath of January’s massive southern California wildfires, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has recompiled and highlighted its guidance for post-wildfire cleanup. Although this guidance is not unique (I’ve written about similar websites HERE), it provides a timely reminder to organizations in areas that may be subject to wildfires, and to other harmful incidents as well. The remainder of this note summarizes Cal/OSHA’s latest compilation.
What is Cal/OSHA’s guidance?
Cal/OSHA reminds that workers participating in a post-fire cleanup need to identify the hazards they face, and presents a list of the following hazards, with additional informational text about each:
Potential hazards in fire cleanup areas include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Safety Hazards
- Fire and fire byproducts
- Electricity
- Flammable gases
- Unstable structures
- Demolition
- Sharp or flying objects
- Excavations
- Tree work
- Haulage vehicles
- Health Hazards
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Ash, soot and dust
- Asbestos
- Hazardous liquids
- Other hazardous substances
- Heat illness
- Confinement Hazard
- Confined Spaces
These discussions summarize identifying features of the hazards, with summaries of safety measures and often with links to regulatory standards or other informational materials. The webportal page also provides links to other agencies and organizations that provide information about “Fire Cleanup Hazards and Safety Precautions” and “Wildfire Cleanup Training Tools in English and Spanish.”
Now what?
Nearly all areas are potentially susceptible to wildfires, and many areas are subject to much higher likelihood and extent of risks, Organizations should prepare for wildfires (I’ve written about planning for fires HERE and protecting workers from bad air during fires HERE), and for cleanup after a fire occurs. Many of the issues addressed are also relevant to other fire cleanups, and to broader sets of post-incident responses and cleanups.
Self-evaluation checklist
Are any of the organization’s facilities subject to wildfires?
- If so, has the organization assessed these locations for site-specific wildfire hazards and fire safety measures?
- If so, has the organization incorporated hazard reduction and fire safety measures into relevant structures and activities?
- If so, does the organization include assessment of wildfire hazards and fire safety measures in the design and construction of new facilities, and selection criteria for selecting facilities to be rented or leased?
Have any of the organization’s facilities been exposed to smoke and/or other interference from a nearby wildfire?
Have any of the organization’s facilities been directly exposed to wildfire?
Where can I go for more information?
- Cal/OSHA “Worker Safety and Health During Fire Cleanup” webportal
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) “Fire Response and Recovery” webpage
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) “Cleaning Up Wildfire Ash Safely”
- Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Wildfires and your safety” webpage
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Wildfires” safety information page
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Wildfires” webpage
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) “Wildland Fires and Smoke” webportal
About the Author
Jon Elliott is President of Touchstone Environmental and has been a major contributor to STP’s product range for over 30 years.
Mr. Elliott has a diverse educational background. In addition to his Juris Doctor (University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1981), he holds a Master of Public Policy (Goldman School of Public Policy [GSPP], UC Berkeley, 1980), and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (Princeton University, 1977).
Mr. Elliott is active in professional and community organizations. In addition, he is a past chairman of the Board of Directors of the GSPP Alumni Association, and past member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Environmental Law Section (including past chair of its Legislative Committee).
You may contact Mr. Elliott directly at: tei@ix.netcom.com