Sign the petition: These farm workers are suffering

Soaring temperatures in outdoor work will make thousands of Americans seriously ill this summer. Heat stress can result in heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death.

Dear MoveOn member,

Soaring temperatures in outdoor work will make thousands of Americans seriously ill this summer. Heat stress can result in heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and even death. Climate change is rapidly increasing this hazard for U.S. workers, and yet there are no national protections in place to prevent this growing occupational danger.

In California, we dealt with this problem by helping to establish the first permanent outdoor heat regulations in the nation. In 2015, we were able to improve these regulations to protect even more workers.¹ Now we need to bring the rest of the country in line to protect outdoor workers.

Tell the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to implement a national heat stress standard requiring employers to protect workers from extreme heat. 

Implement a federal heat stress standard for outdoor and indoor workers in all industries so that workers are protected from dangerous heat on the job.

In the absence of national protections, three states have implemented some form of protective heat standards for their workers. It's time to catch up and issue a federal standard that protects workers from heat stress.

In recent years, record-high temperatures have been seen across the country. But many states don't have adequate laws to protect their workers. Workers often suffer from heat exhaustion, which can escalate to heat stroke and even death. And this danger is increasing rapidly with climate change. 

The solution is simple: Heat illness can be prevented by access to water, shade, and rest breaks. But many employers won't provide these basic needs voluntarily. In Sunnyside, WA, dairy workers dealt with temperatures ranging from 97° to 105° for days.² Dairy workers work year-round, day and night, regardless of weather. 

Many employers deny workers these basic needs—putting countless people at risk every summer. Some may even die. Take action now before any more lives are lost by signing this petition to OSHA.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

Thanks!

–Jocelyn Sherman, United Farm Workers

Sources:

1. "The Heat is on in California: Cal/OSHA's Heat Illness Prevention Requirements for Outdoor Work Sites," Ogletree Deakins, July 12, 2017
https://act.moveon.org/go/43514?t=17&akid=211965%2E10220574%2EpoeKlZ

2. "Sunnyside, WA (98944) 10 Day Weather," Weather.com, accessed July 23, 2018
https://act.moveon.org/go/43515?t=19&akid=211965%2E10220574%2EpoeKlZ

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