Guidance for leaders with employees working outdoors
To: All leaders
As you are likely aware, wildfires are creating extremely poor air quality, impacts of which are anticipated to last for the next couple of days.
Poor air quality and wildfire smoke can affect health and may cause:
- Eye and throat irritation
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
We are sharing guidance with leaders on steps to reduce exposure to air pollution, including wildfire smoke. Please discuss the health and safety measures included below with any employees who are working outdoors and work with these employees to implement the measures.
- Limit outdoor activities where possible. Allow employees to take regular breaks to come inside.
- If employees are feeling unwell, follow the standard practices, beginning with their reporting to the direct leader. A near-miss/incident form can be completed.
- Consider using a respirator outdoors. A well-fitted respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH certified N95) that does not allow air to pass through small openings between the mask and face, may help reduce exposure to fine particles but not gases in smoke. For those on the Toronto campus, masks are available through the Facilities Help Desk.
In addition to this guidance, please protect TMU’s indoor air by keeping operable windows closed. TMU buildings have ventilation systems that filter the air, reducing the level of particulates entering our buildings.
Continue to monitor public health and government resources for more information
Here are some ways to stay informed:
- Visit Government of Canada weather and air quality information (external link)
- Download the WeatherCAN app (external link) to monitor the Air Quality Health Index
- Access Toronto Public Health wildfire information (external link)
If you have any additional questions, please contact Environmental Health and Safety.