Agricultural laborers continue to succumb to heat-related ailments, despite California's pledge to safeguard them two decades ago.

Agricultural laborers continue to succumb to heat-related ailments, despite California's pledge to safeguard them two decades ago.

In the heart of California's agricultural landscape, near Knights Landing, workers in a watermelon field are adjusting their work schedules to beat the heat. However, this proactive measure does little to address the broader issue of heat-related illnesses among farmworkers, a problem that persists despite the state's landmark heat safety law being enacted 20 years ago.

The California heat safety law, put in place in response to a series of heat deaths in the summer of 2005, was designed to protect farmworkers from the harsh summer conditions. Yet, two decades later, farmworkers continue to fall ill and, tragically, die from preventable heat-related illnesses, indicating a failure in implementation and oversight.

One of the main issues is the insufficient state commitment or resources to ensure farmworkers' safety during extreme heat waves. This lack of commitment is reflected in the drop in Cal/OSHA inspections by 30% from 2017 to 2023, and the subsequent fall in violation penalties. In some cases, Cal/OSHA has issued few or no penalties even when workers have died from heat illness on the job.

Moreover, lack of consistent enforcement and accountability among employers is a significant problem. Many employers fail to provide required protections like water, rest breaks, and shade. A 2022 study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center found that many farmworkers were still laboring without the required heat illness prevention plan and training.

Assemblywoman Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced a proposed law making it easier for farmworkers to receive workers' compensation, but it faced opposition from farm interests and was held over at the end of the legislative session. Assemblywoman Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro) stated that there were "dangerous and illegal" working conditions on many California farms. The California state auditor has also criticized the California Department of Occupational Health and Safety for failing to take proper action when workers suffer heat illness on the job, and for being understaffed and having outdated procedures.

Efforts to improve enforcement and protection include proposed new legislation supported by labor unions like the United Farm Workers, which would require OSHA to establish enforceable federal standards for heat protections. The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act, named after a farmworker who died from heat stroke, aims to strengthen heat illness prevention. Ongoing awareness campaigns and toolkits by entities such as the California Department of Public Health emphasize the importance of water, rest, shade, and hydration to reduce heat risks among outdoor workers.

In the face of these challenges, it is clear that improvements are needed to better protect farmworkers from extreme heat. The article is part of The Times' equity reporting initiative, exploring the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address California's economic divide. The article is funded by the James Irvine Foundation.

1. Despite the enactment of California's heat safety law, farmworkers continue to grapple with heat-related illnesses and fatalities in the state's agricultural landscape.
2. California's agricultural workers are altering their work schedules to combat the heat, but this temporary measure does little to address the underlying problem.
3. The California heat safety law was enacted in response to a series of heat deaths in 2005, intending to safeguard farmworkers from summer's harsh conditions.
4. The drop in Cal/OSHA inspections by 30% from 2017 to 2023 has led to a decrease in violation penalties, which presents a significant issue in ensuring farmworker safety.
5. Some workers have suffered or died from heat illness on the job, yet Cal/OSHA has issued few or no penalties in such cases, highlighting a lack of accountability.
6. Many employers fail to provide essential protections like water, rest breaks, and shade, contributing to the persistence of heat-related illnesses among farmworkers.
7. A study by the UC Merced Community and Labor Center revealed that many farmworkers are still lacking the required heat illness prevention plan and training.
8. Assemblywoman Dawn Addis has proposed a law to simplify the process for farmworkers to receive workers' compensation, but it faced opposition and was delayed.
9. Assemblywoman Liz Ortega highlighted dangerous and illegal working conditions on many California farms, urging for immediate action.
10. The California state auditor has criticized the California Department of Occupational Health and Safety for failing to act properly when workers suffer heat illness on the job and for inadequate staffing and outdated procedures.
11. Labor unions such as the United Farm Workers are advocating for new legislation to establish federal standards for heat protections.
12. The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act aims to reinforce heat illness prevention measures for farmworkers.
13. Ongoing awareness campaigns and toolkits stress the importance of water, rest, shade, and hydration for outdoor workers in reducing heat risks.
14. Efforts to improve enforcement and protection of farmworkers from extreme heat are crucial in addressing California's economic divide and the challenges faced by low-income workers.
15. The article, part of The Times' equity reporting initiative, is funded by the James Irvine Foundation and focuses on exploring challenges and solutions regarding California's economic divide.

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