farmworkers
Newsletter
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California reduces safety inspections as farmworkers face worsening heat
California has reduced enforcement of outdoor heat protection laws even as farmworkers endure increasingly extreme temperatures, with inspections by Cal/OSHA dropping nearly 30% since 2017.
In short:
- From 2017 to 2023, Cal/OSHA inspections for outdoor heat safety decreased by almost 30%, with violations issued to employers falling by over 40%.
- Farmworkers report frequent violations of safety laws, including lack of shade and water, amid ongoing agency staffing shortages.
- California lawmakers are considering legislation to strengthen enforcement and ensure compensation for heat-related injuries.
Key quote:
“We just need Cal/OSHA to be out there more often and do more inspections that hopefully will save farmworker lives.”
— Ephraim Camacho, community worker for California Rural Legal Assistance
Why this matters:
As climate change drives temperatures higher, vulnerable outdoor workers face increased health risks, and weakened enforcement of heat protection laws puts their lives in greater danger.
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Wildfires expose farmworkers to dangerous smoke as climate change intensifies
A new study reveals that climate change-driven wildfires are subjecting farmworkers to hazardous air pollution, with many continuing to work in unsafe conditions out of economic necessity.
In short:
- Farmworkers in Sonoma County, California, worked through dangerous wildfire conditions in 2020, inhaling toxic smoke with little protection.
- Researchers found that air quality monitors and emergency protocols failed to safeguard workers during the fires.
- Many farmworkers, especially those lacking legal status, face increased health risks without adequate protections or health coverage.
Key quote:
"We always expose ourselves to danger out of necessity, whether by fire or disaster, when the weather changes, when it’s hot or cold."
— Maria Salinas, farmworker
Why this matters:
As wildfires worsen with climate change, farmworkers—essential to the food supply—are increasingly vulnerable to health risks from toxic smoke exposure, highlighting the need for better protections as a matter of both food security and climate justice.
Related EHN coverage:
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Emergency response systems fail Florida farmworkers during disasters
Florida's emergency response systems left farmworkers stranded and unsupported during Hurricane Idalia, highlighting the need for more inclusive disaster planning and better communication.
In short:
- A new report reveals that disaster response efforts in Florida neglect farmworker communities, exacerbating their vulnerability during events like Hurricane Idalia.
- Emergency management systems often overlook crucial factors like immigration status and language barriers, which are vital in providing effective aid to farmworkers.
- Community organizations are stepping in to bridge the gap, creating their own frameworks and plans to ensure these workers receive necessary resources.
Key quote:
“We continue to see the same issues. This is the consequence of the inequalities that we have within our system.”
— Fernando Rivera, a sociologist who studies disasters at the University of Central Florida
Why this matters:
Farmworkers are essential to the agricultural economy, yet they remain largely unprotected in disaster scenarios. Addressing these systemic issues is crucial for equitable emergency responses, especially as climate change increases the frequency and severity of such events.
Related: Op-ed: Farmworkers’ vicious cycle of precarious employment, exploitation and climate change
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The people who supply food in America are facing hunger
Climate change and rising costs are forcing many farmworkers in the U.S. to struggle with food insecurity.
In short:
- Farmworkers like Rosa Morales face extreme heat, low wages, and lack of protection while working.
- Rising food prices and decreased crop yields due to climate change worsen their financial strain.
- Many farmworkers are ineligible for federal aid, leading to reliance on community gardens and food pantries.
Key quote:
“When we talk about supply chains and food prices going up, we are not thinking about the people who are producing that food, or getting it off the fields and onto our plates.”
— Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
Why this matters:
Farmworkers, who are already among the lowest-paid laborers in the country, are bearing the brunt of climate-driven disasters and inflation. Extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and heatwaves are reducing crop yields and disrupting work schedules. This not only diminishes their earnings but also exacerbates the physical strain of their jobs. The rising costs of living, driven by inflation, are stretching their already thin budgets to the breaking point.
Be sure to read:
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Credit: mikeledray/Big Stock Photo
Florida farmworkers spearhead nation's most stringent heat safety measures in agriculture
In Florida, farmworkers have pioneered the strongest workplace heat protections in the U.S., setting a new standard for labor safety in agriculture.
Nicolás Rivero and Eva Marie Uzcategui report for The Washington Post.In short:
- Farmworkers in Immokalee, Florida, have created the Fair Food Program, setting the highest standards for heat safety in U.S. workplaces.
- The program, not enforced by government but by workers' coalition, mandates breaks, shade, and water, benefiting thousands of workers.
- Major buyers like Walmart and McDonald's support farms adhering to these standards, showcasing a successful model of worker-led safety initiatives.
Key quote:
"Farm owners have to comply because the risk of losing clients if they don’t treat workers well is so great that it can put them in a very difficult position relative to their competitors in the industry."
— Gerardo Reyes Chávez, Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
Why this matters:
This initiative highlights the power of grassroots organizing in improving workplace conditions, especially in sectors like agriculture where workers are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. It sets a precedent for other industries, demonstrating how ethical practices can be integrated into business models for the benefit of workers and consumers alike.
LISTEN: Nayamin Martinez on organizing for farmworker justice.
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Extreme heat pushes more farmworkers to harvest at night, creating new risks
Working in the dark may help agricultural workers keep cool, but safety advocates worry the trend could also be causing more accidents and compromising worker health.
Extreme heat pushes more farmworkers to harvest at night, creating new risks
Working in the dark may help agricultural workers keep cool, but safety advocates worry the trend could also be causing more accidents and compromising worker health.
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