Farm Workers Union Praises State For Issuing Heat Regulations

Sacramento, CA — The United Farm Workers union and a Democratic lawmaker are praising emergency state regulations designed to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and death.

The regulations were issued by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health after at least one farm worker died of heat exposure and two other farm workers and a construction worker died, possibly because of hot summer temperatures.

Among other things, the rules require employers to provide adequate water for workers and shade and recovery periods for workers suffering from heat exposure.

They also require training for employees and supervisors about the risk factors for heat-related illness, the importance of frequent consumption of small quantities of water and other safety factors.