- See the full Lane Community College procedure for Protection from Wildfire Smoke here.
- The combined training for Protection from Wildfire Smoke and Heat Illness Prevention may be accessed here.
Overview & Scope
This procedure applies to all Lane Community College employees, contractors, and visitors who perform outdoor work or operate in non-filtered environments. The protocol activates immediately whenever the local Air Quality Index (AQI) for fine particulate matter PM2.5 reaches or exceeds 101 (corresponding to an ambient air concentration of 35.5 micrograms per meter³).
Exemptions:
- Enclosed Buildings: Indoor workspaces where air is filtered by a mechanical ventilation system and windows/doors are kept closed.
- Enclosed Vehicles: Vehicles with a functional cabin air filter and closed windows.
- Intermittent Exposure: Minimal exposure defined as less than 15 minutes per hour, totaling less than 1 hour in a single 24-hour period. (Subject only to basic training and voluntary respirator rules) .
- Wildfire Firefighters: Governed by separate wildland firefighting safety standards.
Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring Protocols
Supervisors and the OSHA Compliance Coordinator share the responsibility to check local AQI data at the start of each shift during fire season. If smoke is visibly present, conditions must be re-checked at least every 4 hours.
1. Digital Tracking (Primary Method)
Check the following approved digital sources for local updates:
- Primary Source: AirNow.gov (Enter zip code for Eugene, Springfield, or Goshen).
- Backup Sources: Lane Regional Air Pollution Agency (LRAPA) real-time monitor (lrapa-or.gov) or Purple Air (purpleair.com).
- The Maximum Rule: Always reference the highest AQI value reported among the local tracking stations (Eugene, Springfield, or Goshen) to determine which safety tier to implement.
2. The 5-3-1 Visibility Backup Method
If digital air tracking is offline or inaccessible, implement the landmark backup method from campus:
- 3 to 5 Miles Visibility: If you can see Mount Pisgah (3 miles away) or Peak 1102 (2 miles away) but cannot see farther out (such as Camp Creek Ridge or Mt. Nebo), precautions should begin. This indicates an AQI tier of 101–250.
- ~1 Mile Visibility: If you cannot see past Moon Mountain (1 mile north of campus), this indicates an AQI above 250. N95 usage becomes mandatory.
- Less than 1 Mile Visibility: AQI is in the extreme hazardous range. Outdoor work must stop.
Wildfire Smoke Action Tiers
| Tier Level | AQI Range | Visibility Backup | Mandatory Requirements & Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1: Caution |
101 - 250 | 3 to 5 miles | Smoke protocols active. LCC provides NIOSH-approved N95 masks upon request (Voluntary Use). Voluntary users must sign OSHA Appendix D. Workload reduction is strongly encouraged if visibility drops to 3 miles. |
| Tier 2: Danger |
251 - 500 | ~1 mile | Only mission-critical outdoor tasks are permitted. N95 respirator use is MANDATORY for all outdoor staff. A Positive/Negative Pressure User Seal Check is required every single time the mask is donned. |
| Tier 3: Extreme |
501+ (Hazardous) | Less than 1 mile |
🛑 STOP WORK. Cease all outdoor tasks immediately and evacuate personnel to filtered indoor environments. |
⚠️ Critical Respirator Safeguards
- Facial Hair Restriction: Beards, long stubble, or sideburns must not cross the respirator sealing surface. Facial hair prevents a proper protective seal and is prohibited for mandatory use tiers.
- Exemption Note: Under Oregon OSHA wildfire smoke rules, employees are exempt from full medical evaluations and fit testing only if N95s are worn exclusively for wildfire smoke protection.