# Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021

This bill creates new workplace safety rules specifically for farmworkers to protect them from two serious health hazards: wildfire smoke and extreme heat. Right now, farmworkers often lack the same protections that other workers receive, even though they work outdoors where they're directly exposed to these dangers. This bill would change that by requiring employers to take specific steps to keep farmworkers safe during dangerous conditions.

When wildfire smoke gets thick or temperatures soar dangerously high, employers would need to provide farmworkers with things like water, rest breaks in shaded or cool areas, and access to medical care if someone gets sick. The bill also requires employers to monitor air quality and temperature conditions and inform workers about the risks they're facing. If smoke or heat becomes severe enough, employers might need to reduce work hours or stop work entirely to prevent heat exhaustion, smoke inhalation injuries, or worse. Farmworkers would also have the right to report unsafe conditions without fear of losing their jobs.

The practical impact is significant for the roughly 1.5 to 2 million farmworkers in the United States, many of whom work in states prone to wildfires or extreme heat like California, Texas, and Arizona. These workers often have limited bargaining power and few protections, so this bill would level the playing field by giving them legal rights to safe working conditions. For farmers and agricultural companies, it means investing in safety equipment and adjusting work schedules during dangerous weather, which could increase costs but would prevent serious injuries and deaths among their workforce.

Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021

Merkley, Jeff

Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021 This bill provides protections for farmworkers from occupational exposures to wildfire smoke and excessive heat. Specifically, the bill establishes an initial occupational safety and health standard that requires agricultural operation employers to&nbsp;provide farmworkers with appropriate equipment to protect them from wildfire smoke (e.g., N95 masks or N100 masks)&nbsp;and excessive heat exposure (e.g., water and cooling facilities). Employers must also provide farmworkers with materials&nbsp;about how to use the equipment and the risks associated with exposure to wildfire smoke and excessive heat.&nbsp;Under the standard, workers are required to use the appropriate protective equipment when air quality or heat reaches a dangerous level. In addition, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must promulgate an occupational safety and health standard that provides at least the same level of protection as the initial standard. OSHA must also provide technical assistance to employers on how to comply with the standards and develop sample training and education materials that may be used by employers.