Federal Heat Protections for Farm Workers
We need you to act now! After decades of advocacy, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has opened comments on federal heat safety regulations.
The newly proposed federal heat safety rule is modeled on existing heat safety standards in California, Oregon and Washington, all of which were implemented following the deaths of farm workers killed on the job by extreme heat. The rule would require: worker access to clean drinking water; worker access to shaded and/or indoor rest areas; workers to have the right to take regular rest breaks; and employers to educate and train workers as to these rights.
It is critical that these standards become law to protect the health and lives of not only farm workers but other workers who have no choice but to work during times of extreme temperatures. Farm workers are as much as 35 times more likely to be killed by heat than any other civilian occupation. However, the risk affects all workers as they face increased danger, whether it’s from steaming fast food kitchens to sweltering warehouses to airport workers on a sizzling tarmac. Something must be done! Extreme temperatures could sicken or kill thousands of workers. To learn more about the effects of extreme heat on farm workers, visit our docu-series website Farm Worker Voices where we explore how climate change affects farm workers all over the country.
The current lack of federal regulations puts workers in an impossible situation where they are forced to choose between making a living and protecting their lives. Worse, some states like Texas and Florida have banned local laws mandating water and rest breaks. Heat deaths are preventable. The prevention is simple: shade, cool water, rest, education, and monitoring.
The public comment period will close on December 30th. Please help us make sure these OSHA regulations go into effect. You can do that by posting your public comment today in support of these critical regulations. Please add your public comment below.
Extreme temperatures could injure or kill thousands of workers.
Please implement the proposed heat regulations. These standards becoming law are critical to protecting the health and lives of farm workers and other workers who have no choice but to work in dangerous conditions.
In recent years, record-high temperatures have been seen across the country. These extreme temperatures injure and kill workers each year. Farm workers are as much as 35 times more likely to be killed by heat than any other civilian occupation.
Workers need enforceable protections so dangerous accidents never happen. Heat deaths are preventable tragedies. The solution is simple: training, shade, cool water, and paid rest breaks.