Webinar Overview

As wildfire cleanup efforts take place in Los Angeles, it’s critical to prioritize the health and safety of workers cleaning smoke-exposed structures. 

Cleanup workers (e.g., janitors, school maintenance, domestic workers, housekeepers, day laborers, etc.) may be exposed to hazards such as ash, soot, dust, and other hazardous materials. Join us to learn how to mitigate these hazards and ensure cleanup is performed in a safe manner. 

This webinar will be presented by Michelle Rosales, MPH, CIH, Director of Environmental Health Services at Forensic Analytical Consulting Services (FACS).

The webinar will feature a presentation and Q&A session. The Q&A session will focus on answering questions submitted via the registration. 

The webinar will be recorded and the recording will be available on our YouTube Channel and this webpage.

Please note, certificates of completion will only be available for live webinar participants.

Intended Audience

This webinar is designed for workers who will be involved in cleanup of smoke-exposed structures (non-burned structures), supervisors/managers that will be supervising cleanup workers, contractors and homeowners who will be hiring workers to perform cleanup services, and industrial hygienists, safety professionals and registered environmental health specialists (REHS) who will be performing wildfire impact assessments.

While this webinar is intended for workers and employers, homeowners can utilize the guidance shared to protect their health and safety when cleaning their own homes.

Goal of Webinar

The webinar will cover responses to the following questions:

• How to determine when it is safe to proceed with the cleanup of a structure?
• What is a wildfire impact assessment?
• What wildfire regulations do employers need to consider?
• What are best practices for cleanup of smoke-exposed structures (non-burned)?
• What are the main steps of wildfire preparation planning?

Webinar Recording

Resources

Please contact erc@ph.ucla.edu if you have questions or want to share additional resources.

• LA County Department of Public Health: Fire Recovery Guidance for Residents and Businesses
  • Precautions When Assessing Your Property After a Fire
  • Clean-Up After a Fire – Frequently Asked Questions
  • How to Clean Up Smoke and Soot from a Fire
• Cal/OSHA
  • Worker Worker Safety and Health During Fire Cleanup
    • Respiratory Protection During Fire Cleanup
    • Personal Protective Equipment During Fire Cleanup
    • General Contractor and Subcontractor Duties
• KCRW Wildfire Cleanup Information Panel – Jan 27, 2025 (Featuring Dr. Rachael Jones, Director of the SCERC)

In English:

In Spanish:

Visit our “Los Angeles Wildfire Updates and Resources” page for more resources.