Tackling EHS Challenges During the California Wildfire Restoration Process
The California wildfires have left a devastating swath of damage across many areas of Southern California. Some of the fires continue to burn. Restorers responding to potential work in these areas need to be keenly aware of hazards and regulations specific to California and fire damage. Below is a general awareness summary for Restorers. I encourage any Contractor performing wildfire-related work to seek assistance from safety and environmental consultants/experts to understand requirements related to this unique work.
General Smoke Exposure Concerns
No matter your line of work, California has specific regulations on wildfire smoke exposure. All employers need to be familiar with Cal/OSHA Regulation 5141.1, Protection from Wildfire Smoke. There are requirements to provide employees protection from smoke particulate matter. Please refer to the resources listed below.
Exposure Hazards to Inspectors, Adjusters, and Trades
Response personnel entering burned areas and homes/buildings should be aware of the abundance of hazards. The Restoration Industry is just beginning to understand the high toxicity of some substances left after a fire. Some of these hazards include:
- Physical Hazards: unstable structures, slip/trip/fall, heat/fire re-start
- Respiratory Hazards: exposure to soot/ash, asbestos fibers, lead, gases/vapors, and heavy metal particulates.
- Dermal (skin) Hazards: exposure to the same materials listed above for Respiratory.
Response personnel should also have PPE to protect themselves from the hazards, which include, but are not limited to: Respirators, Protective Suits, Gloves, Safety Glasses or Goggles, and Boots.
Safety During Restoration or Demolition Work
Creating a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)/Job Safety Analysis (JSA) will help establish hazards, controls, and allow easy communication of them to employees. Some specific considerations for the JHA include:
- Evaluation and stabilization of unstable structures
- Control of slip/trip/fall hazards
- General PPE requirements for hard hats, safety-toe boots, safety glasses, and gloves
- Specific respiratory and skin protection from soot/ash, such as a respirator with particulate/gas combination cartridges and a protective suit (e.g. Tyvek).
Environmental Considerations During Restoration or Demolition Work
California has Air Quality Management Districts (AQMD’s) that greatly affect restoration or demolition activities related to asbestos; be sure to follow the requirements for the AQMD you are working in. Please be aware that California regulates asbestos and lead-based paint in single-family homes the same as commercial buildings. I strongly encourage finding a local licensed environmental consultant to determine the sampling needs. Remember that if you encounter burnt/damaged asbestos building materials scattered throughout a building, your first work step may be to contract asbestos abatement! Please refer to the resources listed below.
LA County-Specific Requirements
Los Angeles County released an order on January 15, 2025, that implements specific requirements for fire debris removal. They break down the activities into Hazardous Waste Removal Assessment and Fire Debris Removal. Contractors hired to perform cleanup must wait for an Assessment, receive approval to perform their work, and follow applicable regulations. Please refer to the resources listed below.
Learn more for the experts in EHS. Contact Barry Rice, EHS Director at Signal Restoration Services.
Resources
Cal/OSHA 5141.1: https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/5141_1.html
Protecting employees: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/worker-protection-from-wildfire-smoke.html
South Coast AQMD: https://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/compliance/asbestos-demolition-removal
LA County Requirements New Release: LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES
Free Resources for Disaster Recovery, some fire-specific: https://theredguidetorecovery.com/free-preparedness-recovery-tools/#tool-box-6
Reprinted with permission of R&R Magazine
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