L4: Wildfire Smoke Exposure Management in Underground Mining

Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center 

Room: 288 

CM Credit Hours: 1 

With wildfires projected to continue to increase in number and intensity due to climate change, managing far-field wildfire smoke exposure will become increasingly necessary for occupational hygienists. This is especially the case for outdoor workplaces or workplaces where air supplied to the workplace cannot feasibly be filtered. These exposures will be the focus of the session, which will draw on the presenters' three seasons of wildfire smoke exposure management experience in an underground mining context.

The session will provide an introduction to wildfire smoke as an industrial hygiene hazard, starting with basic theoretical information on its toxicology and exposure limits, derived from literature and regulatory reviews. Subsequently, specific information will be presented on the monitoring technology, monitoring strategy, and exposure controls, including their assumptions and limitations as they relate to wildfire smoke exposure in underground mining. This information will be based both on best practices and the direct experience of the presenters. Finally, recommendations for additional resources will be provided.

Upon completion, the participant will be able to:
• Describe the key steps for monitoring and managing wildfire smoke exposure at an underground mine or similar operation. 

Introductory

Engineering Controls and Ventilation

Exposure Assessment

Personal Protective Equipment

Aerosol and airborne particulate monitoring

Exposure Assessment

Real-time detection services and direct reading instruments

Respiratory protection

Risk assessment and management

In-person

Professional

Case Studies