Whether it’s wildfire smoke during an outdoor performance or the atmospheric effects of a haze machine on stage, air quality can significantly impact performance spaces and affect artists in many ways. Understanding how to find reliable information about air quality and pollution, what levels are considered safe, and how these factors may affect you and your colleagues are key to advocating for a safe and healthy work environment.
Air Quality in the Workplace
The best practices provided here are intended to offer information and tools to help artists stay safe in their workplaces. Equity is happy to provide this information based on the research we have done in this area. In all instances, it’s best to seek the advice of a medical professional to address any health concerns.
Understanding Air Quality
Air quality is the state of the air around us — specifically, how it has been affected by air pollutants. Poor air quality can affect our vision, ability to breathe, cause a sore throat, and may contribute to longer-term difficulties.
Sources of air pollution
Natural Sources
- Wildfire smoke
- Dust storms
- Pollen
Human-made Sources
- Smog
- Chemicals (such as those used in fog or haze machines)
- Consumer products (like cleaning agents or aerosols)
Additional factors that influence how air quality affects individuals include:
- Poor ventilation
- Strenuous activity (e.g. dancing, stage fighting, or singing)
- Age and pre-existing health conditions
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, is a valuable tool for understanding air quality conditions and related health risks.
There are four risk categories on the AQHI scale. Health recommendations vary by risk category for the general population and people at risk who are more vulnerable to health effects from poor air quality. This includes children, people over 65 years, and those with other health conditions.
Low risk (AQHI 1 to 3)
Continue usual outdoor activities
Moderate risk (AQHI 4 to 6)
General population: continue usual outdoor activities unless experiencing symptoms
People at risk: consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities if experiencing symptoms
High risk (AQHI 7 to 10)
General population: consider reducing strenuous outdoor activities if experiencing symptoms
People at risk: reduce strenuous outdoor activities
Very high risk (AQHI 10+)
General population: reduce strenuous outdoor activities, especially if experiencing symptoms
People at risk: avoid strenuous outdoor activities
In the Workplace
Members are encouraged to review any provisions in the appropriate collective agreement or engagement policy to understand their rights and protections.
Whether or not you are working under an agreement or policy that contains air quality provisions, it’s important to remember that provincial legislation obliges employers (engagers) to maintain a safe workplace, and that workers always have the right to raise concerns about health and safety conditions.
Communicate with your Engager
Don’t wait until you’re in crisis mode. Everyone wants your production to succeed, and having an open discussion EARLY in the process will help prevent confusion later on.
If you know of factors that may affect air quality in the workplace — such as nearby wildfires or the planned use of a haze or fog machine — we strongly recommend discussing the following on the first day or before introducing any air pollutants:
What can be provided to help?
- Fans
- Masks (particularly during wildfire events)
- Adequate ventilation
What changes can be made to help?
- Provisional choreography / fight calls that require less exertion in poor air quality
- Additional breaks
- Agreed-upon thresholds for cancelling or postponing rehearsals/performances
If there is even a possibility of air pollution affecting your production, the engager should have a plan in place to monitor and assess air quality and take appropriate action, if necessary.
When using hazardous products (as defined in the Hazardous Products Regulations), an engager has a further responsibility to provide workers with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — a summary document that provides information about the hazards of a product and advice about safety precautions.
Watch for symptoms
Common effects of poor air quality include:
- Headaches and dizziness
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
- Coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
- Chest tightness and increased phlegm
When should I seek medical care?
The decision to seek medical care will be affected by factors such as age, existing health problems or the symptoms a person is experiencing at the time. It is important to listen to your body’s cues, especially if you have a condition that puts you at higher risk.
If you or someone you know experiences any of the following symptoms it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible:
- A cough that is persistent or worsening
- Shortness of breath, beyond what is usually experienced
- Chest pain or tightness
- Significant weakness or fatigue
Atmospheric effects
When fog or haze effects are scheduled to be used, all workers should be notified ahead of time about the types and use of effects. Signs should also be posted warning the public that fog will be used as part of the performance.
Producers should use the minimum concentration necessary to achieve the desired effect. When using fog or haze effects, keep all non-essential workers away from the set. Whenever possible, vacate workers from all dressing rooms located on the stage.
Ventilate or exhaust the stage periodically, vertically and laterally. Otherwise, workers and animals should have a break away from the stage at appropriate intervals.
Monitoring and reacting
- Assess the risks of overexposure in the workspace before using the fog or haze effect
- Know the exposure limits of the product as specified in the Safety Data Sheet
- Ventilate the space and give workers a break
Wildfire Smoke
Wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of kilometres and arrive on the wind without warning. It can be a health hazard for workers who work either outside or inside buildings or vehicles where the air is not filtered.
Wildfire smoke contains a mixture of air pollutants that could greatly increase the risk of negatively affecting air quality. As a result, British Columbia introduced a moderated measurement of AQHI levels called AQHI+. This adjustment improves the accuracy of the reported health risks from smoke throughout the year.
Wildfire smoke response plan
Given the increasing frequency of wildfires, it’s recommended that engagers in proximity to wildfires have a wildfire response plan in place to keep workers safe.
A response plan should include:
- Instructions for monitoring air quality and forecasts and who is responsible
- Communication plan for notifying workers of air quality and forecasts
- Steps for limiting worker exposure, especially vulnerable workers and performers who can’t wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Alternative indoor rehearsal location
- Alternative indoor performance location
- Instructions for when PPE should be used
- Provisions for prompt medical treatment if workers are exposed to levels of smoke that may become hazardous
Ways to reduce health risks
Outdoors
- Minimize physical exertion as much as possible
- Pay attention to air advisories and alerts
- Provide air-conditioned and air-filtered shelters (e.g. rooms, tents, vehicles) for breaks
- Reschedule outdoor work, if possible, or provide additional rest periods away from the smoke
- Provide workers with PPE for voluntary use and appropriate training on how to use it
Indoors
- Use an HVAC system for indoor environments
- Use high-efficiency filters and check them regularly
- For smaller areas, consider using portable air cleaners with HEPA filters
- Keep the building sealed as much as possible to keep smoke from entering