The Ventura County Agriculture Commissioner in partnership with the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and CAUSE have launched a free text message notification system to alert the agricultural community when air quality reaches unhealthy levels in areas of Ventura County due to wildfire smoke. The text alert system will send notifications to farmworkers and employers the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 151 (unhealthy) and exceeds 500 (hazardous) due to wildfire smoke. The message will also recommend that outdoor employees wear an N95 mask when the AQI reaches and exceeds 151, consistent with the Cal OSHA regulations.
To sign up to receive air quality text alerts in English, text SMOKE to 855-522-0034. To receive alerts in Spanish, text HUMO to 855-522-0034.
CalOSHA regulations require that employers provide N95 respirators to all outdoor employees (for voluntary use) when the AQI reaches or exceeds 151. The wildfire smoke text alert provides real-time air quality data to help employers comply with the regulation and protect employees from harmful wildfire smoke.
For more information about the Wildfire Smoke Text Alert System, visit http://www.vcapcd.org/smoke/.
