Emergency Wildfire Smoke Rule

The Emergency Wildfire Smoke Rule expired on September 29, 2022, but LNI is working toward making the emergency rule permanent. In the meantime, LNI has issued guidance explaining that with the ongoing wildfire smoke in the region, it hopes that employers will continue to follow the rule voluntarily as part of its duty to provide a safe work environment to employees. LNI instructs that employers can provide a safer work environment to workers exposed to wildfire smoke by continuing to monitor employees for symptoms, providing exposure controls such as relocating work assignments, reducing the intensity of work, and providing additional rest breaks.  Employers should also consider providing respirators to employees at no cost. These are just some of the steps detailed in the emergency rule as being required when air quality reaches designated levels.