Rochester Outdoor Workers Shift Schedules as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Makes Air Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Updated
Updated · 13WHAM-TV · Jul 16
Rochester Outdoor Workers Shift Schedules as Canadian Wildfire Smoke Makes Air Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
3 articles · Updated · 13WHAM-TV · Jul 16
Summary
Monroe County workers kept crews in the field Thursday but shifted outdoor tasks to early hours, moved indoors when possible and stopped jobs if anyone got sick.
Canadian wildfire smoke blanketed the Rochester region, making it harder to breathe for crews doing physical work such as digging and prompting masks, hydration breaks and dispatcher check-ins.
Brighton Landscape said one worker became ill the previous day and the job was ended, while some employees did not report Thursday because conditions were worse where they lived.
Health officials said the air was unhealthy to breathe, especially for sensitive groups, and urged residents with underlying conditions to limit time outdoors.