safety
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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Credit: Matt Collamer/Unsplash
Floods expose vulnerabilities in homeless communities forced to marginal areas
In Ontario, California, severe floods in November 2022 claimed three lives and highlighted the dangers facing unhoused people living in flood-prone areas due to lack of safer shelter options.
In short:
- Unhoused people in Ontario live in flood control channels, risking exposure to deadly floods as seen in the November 2022 incident where three individuals died.
- Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather, pushing homeless communities into increasingly dangerous locations due to inadequate housing policies.
- Advocates stress the need for better integration of homeless populations into disaster planning to prevent similar tragedies.
Key quote:
“Cities and states have made it virtually impossible to stay in safer locations. And the outcome is people experiencing homelessness are at an even greater risk for extreme weather events.”
— Jesse Rabinowitz, communications director for the National Homelessness Law Center
Why this matters:
With the intersection of homelessness and climate crises, people without shelter are increasingly at risk of fatal weather events. Improved housing and emergency planning are critical to safeguard these vulnerable populations.
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Credit: alejandroavilacortez/Pixabay
Increasing workplace deaths from extreme heat prompt new regulations
As extreme heat leads to increasing workplace fatalities, the Biden administration is pushing for new safety regulations, though facing substantial opposition.
Coral Davenport and Noah Weiland report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is preparing to propose a new rule to protect workers from extreme heat, covering around 50 million people.
- Last year recorded the highest number of heat-related deaths in the U.S., with 2,300 fatalities, and emergency room visits for heat illnesses surged.
- Business groups are resisting the proposed regulations, citing the complexity and costs of implementation.
Key quote:
"The threat to people from extreme heat is reaching a point where we have to rethink how, at all levels of government, we are preparing and putting in place a response that matches the severity of the problem."
— Dr. John M. Balbus, deputy assistant secretary for climate change and health equity in the Health and Human Services Department
Why this matters:
The sweltering summer heat is not just an inconvenience; it's becoming a deadly force in American workplaces. Recent data points to a disturbing rise in heat-related fatalities among workers, particularly those in outdoor industries like construction and agriculture. However, the push for new safety protocols is encountering significant resistance from various quarters. Some industry groups argue that the regulations would impose undue financial burdens on businesses, particularly small enterprises already grappling with post-pandemic economic recovery.
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Credit: jean wimmerlin/Unsplash
Exploring the potential of genetically engineered crops in agriculture and the environment
Researchers argue that genetically engineered crops could significantly reduce carbon emissions, despite widespread skepticism and regulatory challenges.
In short:
- Golden rice, engineered to combat childhood blindness, faces significant opposition and regulatory barriers in the Philippines.
- Genetically engineered crops like the herbicide-resistant corn reduce the need for land tilling, potentially lowering carbon emissions.
- The public remains divided on GMO safety, influencing market trends and regulatory policies.
Key quote:
“We see GMOs as a tool of the major corporations that already have a stranglehold on our food system.”
— Amanda Starbuck, research director at Food and Water Watch
Why this matters:
Proponents say genetically modified crops offer a dual benefit: enhancing nutritional value and mitigating climate change impacts. Skeptics question the long-term impacts on biodiversity and the possibility of unforeseen consequences in modified crops. Moreover, regulatory frameworks in many countries are rigorous and slow to adapt, often reflecting public wariness and ethical concerns over genetic modifications.
Be sure to read Charles Benbrook’s article on the mistakes made in the approval of the first genetically engineered crops—and what we can learn from them
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Credit: Johannes Plenio/Unsplash
Regulators clear Japan's largest nuclear plant for operation, navigating past safety concerns and local hesitations
Japan's nuclear watchdog has lifted the operational ban on Tokyo Electric Power's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant, marking a cautious move towards nuclear energy amidst historical safety issues and local apprehensions.
Mari Yamaguchi reports for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority has ended the decade-long suspension of TEPCO's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the world's largest, due to previous safety violations.
- TEPCO's next step is to gain approval from local governments, reflecting the lingering community distrust post-Fukushima disaster.
- The Japanese government's strategy to rely on nuclear power for reducing fossil fuel imports faces hurdles of safety concerns and public confidence.
Key quote:
"TEPCO is a unique company; in a way it had caused the accident. It is the operator's responsibility to keep improving, and our task is to watch if improvement is adequately carried out."
— Shinsuke Yamanaka, Chair of the Nuclear Regulation Authority
Visit EHN's energy section for more top news about energy, climate, and health.
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Dying in the fields as temperatures soar
Scores of California farmworkers are dying in the heat in regions with chronically bad air, even in a state with one of the toughest heat standards in the nation.
Photo by Alex Kotliarskyi on Unsplash
UK workers ‘should get day off’ if workplace is hotter than 30C
A maximum indoor temperature working law giving people a day off if workplace temperatures surpass 30C should be mandated by government, a new report recommends.
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