Wildfire Smoke

When wildfires occur, the university monitors local air quality to assess the impact on operations and implements controls protective of employee health. In May 2022, Oregon OSHA adopted rule OAR 437-002-1081 to protect employees against occupational exposure to wildfire smoke. The rule outlines a series of requirements to reduce the likelihood of employees having a wildfire smoke related illness or injury. Supervisors and employees have responsibilities to meet under the Wildfire Smoke regulation.

This page highlights requirements, guidance, resources, and trainings including:

Protection From Wildfire Smoke For Employees

This chart outlines requirements for UO employees based on typical working conditions.

Working Conditions

Requirements

Employees exposed to wildfire smoke where the air quality index (AQI) is at or above 101. 

No exemption from any portion of the regulations. Training is required annually.

Intermittent smoke exposure defined as less than 15 minutes per hour and less than one hour total for a single 24-hour period.

Partially exempt from regulations. Training is required annually to understand signs and symptoms of smoke exposure and voluntary use of N95 respirators.

Employees involved in emergency operations in protection of life, property, law enforcement, and restoration of essential services such as utilities, and communications.

Partially exempt from regulations. Training is required annually to understand signs and symptoms of smoke exposure and voluntary use of N95 respirators. 

Employees working in enclosed buildings and structures in which the air is filtered by mechanical ventilation system.

Exempt from regulations. Training is optional.

Keep windows and doors closed (except to enter/exit). 

Employees working in vehicles where the air is filtered by a mechanical ventilation system - except for Duck Rides and Access Shuttle drivers who are NOT exempt and must take training. 

Exempt from regulations. Training is optional.

Employees working at home. 

Exempt from regulations. Training is optional.

Non-employees, including students, families, and visitors to campus.

See below for Wildfire Smoke Guidelines for UO Events.

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Flexibility during Wildfire Smoke Events

When air quality levels of PM2.5 exceed 55.5µg/m³ (AQI 150), members of the campus community are expected to use their best judgment in assessing the risk of smoke exposure related to coming and going to campus and participation in outdoor activities on campus, based on individual circumstances. Employees and supervisors should review air quality guidance and work together to discuss and address individual concerns.

Instruction Guidance

Instructors are not to penalize a student for being absent from an in-person class when air quality levels exceed 55.5µg/m³ (AQI 150) as measured by WeatherSTEM on Eugene Campus and by AirNow for Portland, OIMB, Pine Mountain Observatory, or when conducting field research across the U.S. Absences on these days should not count in the course attendance policy. Note that, per the current Course Attendance and Engagement policy, instructors are not to ask students to cite their reason for missing class (i.e., they need not require a student to cite they missed class for air quality reasons or health impact of air quality as a reason). 

An instructor may opt to move their class meeting to synchronous online (e.g., to Zoom) for the day(s) when air quality levels exceed or is forecasted to exceed 55.5µg/m³ (AQI 150). When making a change to remote, please notify your department head, then provide students with as much notice as possible using Canvas. Absences from synchronous online class sessions can count in the course attendance policy as they normally would. The Teaching Engagement Program and UO Online team provide Zoom assistance, as well as instructions and answers on the UO teaching site.

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Wildfire Smoke Guidelines for UO Events

The following is a summary of non-employee guidance for UO hosted outdoor events and activities during times of diminished air quality due to wildfire smoke.

Air Quality:
AQI

Air Quality:
PM 2.5

Guidelines for UO Hosted outdoor events and activities (Non-employees)

≤100

<35.5 µg/m3

Normal Operations

101-200

35.6-55.4 µg/m

Recommend that outdoor youth programs be suspended or move indoors. 

201-250

55.5-125.4 µg/m

Recommend that departments and units suspend or move outdoor events and activities indoors.*

251-276

125.5-174.9 µg/m

UO hosted outdoor activities and events shall be suspended or moved indoors. If suspension or relocation is not possible, physically strenuous outdoor activity shall be limited to 15 minutes per hour and 1 hour per day.

*Taking the following into account: Events and activities that involve prolonged or heavy exertion are higher risk. The following populations are at higher risk during these periods: people with heart and lung disease, children, pregnant women and older adults. If the event or activity continues, consider the impact for these groups.

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Official Sources of AQI Data

While there are a variety of sources available for air-quality data, decisions reflected in this guidance shall be based on the UO Weather Station, WeatherSTEM (AirLink PM2.5 sensor) for work on the Eugene Campus. AirNow will be the official source for air quality information for Portland, OIMB, Pine Mountain Observatory, and when conducting field research across the U.S.AirNow and WeatherSTEM have free downloadable smartphone applications.

Resources

Trainings

Online trainings are coming soon for UO employees through MyTrack. 

  • Wildfire Smoke Exposure Online Training
  • Wildfire Smoke Exposure Online Training in Spanish

Questions?

If you have questions about the Wildfire Smoke regulation or would like to request an in-person training on Wildfire Smoke Safety, email Environmental Health and Safety.

For additional questions contact: