Valley Fever is caused by inhaling spores from a fungus that can live in soil. Construction, excavation, trenching, grading, and other soil-disturbing work can release contaminated dust into the air. Risk can be significant in highly endemic areas of California, particularly during dry and dusty conditions.

California requires construction employers working in identified highly endemic counties to provide Valley Fever prevention training. Employers should also address the hazard through their IIPP and site-specific controls.

Evaluate location and work activities
Planning should consider the county, known local disease rates, prior site history, soil-disturbing activities, wind, dry conditions, and the number of workers potentially exposed. Employees who perform digging, grading, trenching, sweeping, vehicle operation, or work near disturbed soil may be affected.

Visitors, subcontractors, and employees working downwind should also be considered.

Control dust at the source
Dust controls may include wetting soil, limiting vehicle speed, covering or stabilizing disturbed areas, using enclosed cabs with properly maintained filtration, positioning workers upwind, suspending work during extreme dust conditions, and promptly controlling visible dust releases.

Water application should be planned so it reduces dust without creating unstable soil, slips, or other hazards.

Use respiratory protection when needed
Respiratory protection may be part of the control strategy when engineering and work-practice controls do not adequately reduce exposure. Required respirator use must be supported by a compliant respiratory protection program, medical evaluation, fit testing, and training.

Employees should understand that a simple face covering may not provide the protection required for airborne dust hazards.

Train workers to recognize symptoms
Training should explain how exposure occurs, where Valley Fever is common, prevention methods, and symptoms that may develop after exposure. Symptoms can resemble other respiratory illnesses, which may delay recognition.

Workers should be encouraged to tell a healthcare provider about occupational dust exposure and the location of the work. Employers should document suspected occupational cases and follow applicable reporting and recordkeeping duties.

How EA Safety Services can help
EA Safety Services, LLC can develop Valley Fever prevention procedures, provide required training, evaluate dust controls, and integrate the program with the project IIPP, respiratory protection program, and incident-reporting process.