Health risks of outdoor work in areas impacted by bushfire smoke
Advice for doing outdoor work on days of poor air quality due to bushfire smoke. This information is not for first responders and relief and recovery personnel, such as firefighters, who may be exposed to other airborne hazards.
Hazards from bushfire smoke
Bushfire smoke is a mixture of airborne particles, gases and water vapour and can affect the health of anyone who is exposed to it. Young children, the elderly, people with heart or lung conditions and pregnant women can be sensitive to smoke exposure.
EPA Victoria monitors air quality across Victoria, including monitoring for carbon monoxide and other particulate matter. To determine the air quality rating in a particular area within Victoria, refer to the EPA AirWatch website (link below).
If you do not have access to EPA AirWatch, or the EPA monitor is not operational for your location, the amount of smoke in the air can be assessed by the visibility of nearby landmarks (see visibility information for each level of air quality rating below).
Health risks
Exposure to airborne particles in smoke may cause coughing, shortness of breath and respiratory irritation, as some particles are small enough to get into the throat and lungs. Conditions such as asthma, heart or lung conditions may be worsened by exposure.
Workplaces should review their first aid arrangements to determine if a suitable response is available for employees impacted by bushfire smoke.
Employees who are sensitive to bushfire smoke should initiate their personal treatment plan, which may include reviewing it with a medical practitioner.
If employees are worried about their symptoms, they should see their doctor or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024. Anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing should seek urgent medical attention.
Respiratory protective equipment is the lowest level of risk control
Employers have a duty to provide and maintain, so far as is reasonably practicable, a workplace that is safe and without risks to health.
The most effective way to control the risk of exposure to smoke is to avoid outdoor work on days where the air quality rating is poor, very poor or hazardous.
Ordinary paper dust masks, handkerchiefs or bandannas should not be used. They do not filter out fine particles from bushfire smoke and therefore do not provide protection against health risks.
When they are worn in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions, P2 (N95) face masks will filter out fine particulate matter. P2 masks can be very hot and uncomfortable and can make it harder for you to breathe normally. If the mask is not fitted properly or becomes loaded up with particles from extended use, it will be even less effective.
The mask needs to fit the wearer securely to achieve an air-tight seal and this will depend on facial size and shape. Facial hair will prevent an air-tight seal being achieved.
For employees with facial hair, the employer should review work requirement to determine if working outdoors is necessary. Where outdoor work cannot be avoided, arrangements should be made to minimise the time spent outdoors.
Air quality and recommendations
The information below provides guidance on what level of physical activity is safe to do in different levels of air quality, and recommended respiratory protective equipment. Employers should undertake an assessment of their specific work activities to determine the appropriate risk controls.
Physical activity
- Light physical activity includes sitting with light manual work with hands or hands and arms, and driving. Standing with some light arm work and occasional walking.
- Moderate physical activity includes sustained moderate hand and arm work, moderate arm and leg work, moderate arm and trunk work, or light pushing and pulling. Normal walking.
- Heavy physical activity includes intense arm and trunk work, carrying, shovelling, manual sawing, pushing and pulling heavy loads, walking at a fast pace.
Sensitive population
Sensitive population includes:
- children younger than 14
- people older than 65
- people with heart and lung conditions, including asthma
- pregnant women
- Air quality rating: Good
Visible landmark:
About 20 km
Outdoor Work:
Good day to be outside
Health impact:
No Impact
Recommended advice:
Normal physical activities
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
Not required
- Air quality rating: Moderate
Visible landmark:
About 10 km
Outdoor Work:
Can be outside, but watch for air quality changes
Health impact:
No impact but watch for changes
Recommended advice:
Normal physical activities, but watch for change in conditions
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
Not required, but watch for change
- Air quality rating: Poor
Visible landmark:
About 5 km
Outdoor Work:
Air quality is probably dusty or smoky
Health impact:
Sensitive population may experience health effects, such as coughing or shortness of breath.
Recommended advice:
Sensitive population:
- Reduce time spent in the outdoor environment
- Minimise moderate to heavy physical activity in the outdoor environment
General population (not sensitive):
- Reduce time spent doing heavy physical activity in the outdoor environment
For anyone indoors, including vehicle cabins, close the doors and windows to prevent smoke and dust entering the workplace. Switch air conditioners to recycle or recirculate, to eliminate or minimise the requirement for outside air. Do not use an evaporative air cooler.
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
If employee required to work outdoor for minimal (short) period of time and not carry out physical activity:
- P2 disposable mask not required
For employees required to undertake moderate to heavy physical activity outdoors, then P2 disposable mask should be provided as a precautionary measure to assist with filtering out fine particulate smoke. Employers should consider:
- Ensure the P2 mask fits well to achieve air-tight seal
- Males must be clean shaven
- Masks fitted with exhalation valve may make it easier to breathe when doing physical activity
- Regular replacement of P2 disposable masks should occur if they become damaged, moist or contaminated
If employee required to do moderate to heavy physical activity outdoors and has facial hair, a P2 disposable mask will not provide protection. The employee should:
- Limit the time spent outdoors
- Break up the day with time being spent indoors in a clean air environment and less time spent outdoors
- Air quality rating: Very poor
Visible landmark:
About 1.5 km
Outdoor Work:
Air quality is very dusty or smoky
Health impact:
Everyone may experience symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath
Recommended advice:
Sensitive population:
- Avoid being outdoors if possible
- If outdoors, only do light physical activity
General population (not sensitive):
- Avoid undertaking heavy physical activity outdoors
- Reduce time spent doing moderate physical activity outdoors
For anyone indoors, including vehicle cabins, close the doors and windows to prevent smoke and dust entering the workplace. Switch air conditioners to recycle or recirculate, to eliminate or minimise the requirement for outside air. Do not use an evaporative air cooler.
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
If employee is required to do light physical activity outdoors for minimal (short) period of time:
- P2 disposable mask may be used as a precautionary measure.
If employee is required to do moderate physical activity outdoors for short periods of time, they should wear a P2 disposable mask. Employers should consider:
- limiting the period of time spent outdoors
- ensuring the P2 mask fits well to achieve air-tight seal
- males must be clean shaven
- masks fitted with exhalation valve may make it easier to breathe when doing physical activity
- regular replacement of P2 disposable masks should occur if they become damaged, moist or contaminated
If an employee has facial hair, a P2 disposable mask will not provide protection. The employee should:
- avoid working outdoors if possible
- not undertake moderate to heavy physical activity outdoors
- break up the day with time being spent indoors in a clean air environment and less time spent outdoors
Employers should restrict the requirement for an employee with facial hair to carry out physical activity outdoors in weather conditions that are rated very poor.
- Air quality rating: Hazardous
Visible landmark:
Less than 1.5 km
Outdoor Work:
Air quality is extremely dusty or smoky
Health impact:
Everyone could be experiencing symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.
Recommended advice:
Sensitive population:
- Remain indoors
General population (not sensitive):
- Avoid working outdoors
- If going outdoors is unavoidable, only do light physical activity and minimise the time spent outdoors as much as possible.
For anyone indoors, including vehicle cabins, close the doors and windows to prevent smoke and dust entering the workplace. Switch air conditioners to recycle or recirculate, to eliminate or minimise the requirement for outside air. Do not use an evaporative air cooler.
Recommended respiratory protective equipment:
If employee is required to work outdoors for minimal (short) period of time and carry out light physical activity, a P2 disposable mask needs to be worn, unless it can be determined that the employee will not be at risk to their health. Employers should consider:
- limiting the period of time spent outdoors
- ensuring the P2 mask fits well to achieve air-tight seal
- males must be clean shaven
- masks fitted with exhalation valve may make it easier to breathe when doing physical activity
- regular replacement of P2 disposable masks should occur if they become damaged, moist or contaminated
If employee has facial hair, a P2 disposable mask will not provide protection. The employee should:
- avoid working outdoors if possible
- if working outdoors can't be avoided, only do light physical activity
- break up the day with time being spent indoors in a clean air environment and less time spent outdoors
Employers must restrict the requirement for an employee with facial hair to work outside in weather conditions that are rated as hazardous.
References
ACGIH TLVs and BEIs 2019 – Metabolic rate categories and the representative with example activities
Bushfire recovery
This information is part of a suite of information about bushfire recovery. Find more information from about this topic on the main bushfires collection page.