Posts Tagged: regulations

Fire, Smoke, Ag Workers and Employers

California agricultural employers, workers approach smoke concerns differently

UC Davis examines health and safety awareness around mounting threat

University of California - Davis

In 2018, California wildfires burned more than 1.8 million acres and caused smoke to drift hundreds of miles. As the frequency and intensity of wildfires increases with climate change, California agricultural workers are at greater risk of smoke exposure as they often have no option but to work outdoors.

A new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, finds that while wildfires and smoke exposure are recognized by farmworkers and employers as a growing threat and safety concern, the means to address these concerns differs between the two groups.

"What stood out in this study is the substantial disparities between agricultural employers and farmworkers," said Heather Riden with the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis.

Riden, who led the research in partnership with the California Institute for Rural Studies, said that while growers and employers expressed concern about poor air quality at the time of the study in 2018, many had no clear plans or protocols for measuring air quality or managing workers in such conditions. While the public is advised to stay indoors due to poor air quality during a wildfire, agricultural work often continues.

The study also found that when farmworkers were offered protective masks, many found them difficult to use while working due to heat-related discomfort and chafing. Others believed wearing two bandanas over the mouth and nose would provide just as much protection.

Farmworkers' experience is compounded by economic need.

"Many farmworkers will continue working, even in unsafe conditions, to support their families. They don't have many other options," said Riden.

NEW REGULATIONS

Last year, the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, enacted an emergency regulation requiring employers to take measures to protect workers from wildfire smoke when the Air Quality Index reaches 151 or greater, which is considered unhealthy. Riden said as CAL/OSHA begins to craft permanent regulations, she hopes it takes the study's findings into consideration.

"This highlights the need for better awareness for both agricultural employers and farmworkers about the health risks associated with wildfire smoke," said Riden. "Employers also need training materials and concrete steps they can take to protect workers."

To assist agricultural employers with meeting the requirements outlined in the newly adopted regulation, the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety developed training materials and an employer checklist.

###

The study was based on interviews and focus groups with California agricultural employers and workers in the Salinas, San Joaquin and Imperial valleys. Support for the study came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

For the complete article and amazing pictures check out: https://www.ucdavis.edu/health/california-agricultural-employers-workers-approach-smoke-concerns-differently

Media Contact

Amy Quinton
amquinton@ucdavis.edu
530-752-9843

 @ucdavisnews

http://www.ucdavis.edu 

This content was developed by the Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety at UC Davis. For more information and to access their wildfire training materials, visit their wildfire training page: https://aghealth.ucdavis.edu/wildfires

 

fire hillside

Raspberry Tunnel Mangement Workshop

Stormwater and Sediment Management in Plasticulture Tunnels

13 June, Wednesday 8:30 AM-NOON
At UC Hansen Agricultural Center at Santa Paula
(from hwy 126 exit Briggs, the entrance gate is ~1000 ft on the left on Briggs road)
8:30 Registration, (interpretation into Spanish provided for the program).
9:00 Update on Agricultural Conditional Waiver and nutrient management requirements
9:20 Establishment of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in post rows in raspberry plasticulture tunnels
9:30 Effect of BMPs on nitrogen
9:50 Effect of BMPS on phosphorus, turbidity of runoff and sediment movement
10:10 Effect of BMPs on weeds
10:20 Costs of the tested BMPs
10:30 Look at treatments, demo of Polyacrylamide, questions and survey
11:00 Lunch

• VCAILG (Ventura County Ag Irrigated land) credits have been requested from RWQCB.

If you require special arrangements, translation into Spanish or have further questions, please contact Oleg Daugovish at UCCE –Ventura: (805) 645-1454 or odaugovish@ucdavis.edu

El Manejo de Aguas Pluviales y Sedimentos en los Túneles de Plasticultura
13 de Junio, Miércoles de 8:30 al Mediodía
En el UC Hansen Agricultural Center de Santa Paula
(de la 126 se toma la salida Briggs, la puerta de entrada queda a 1000 pies a la izquierda en la Briggs road)
8:30 Registración, (interpretación en español disponible) .
9:00 Actualización de la Exención Condicional Agrícola y los requisitos para el manejo de
nutrientes
9:20 Establecimiento de Mejores Prácticas de Gestión (BMP) en las filas con postes en los túneles de plasticultura de la frambuesa
9:30 Efecto de estas prácticas (BMP) sobre el nitrógeno
9:50 Efecto de estas prácticas (BMP) sobre el fósforo, turbidez de la escorrentía y
movimiento de los sedimentos.
10:10 El efecto de estas prácticas (BMP) sobre la maleza.
10:20 Costos de estas prácticas que ya se han experimentado
10:30 Vistazo a los tratamientos, demostración de la poliacrilamida, preguntas y encuesta
11:00 Lonche
• Se han solicitado créditos VCAILG al RWQCB.
Si usted requiere arreglos especiales, traducción al español o tiene otras preguntas, favor de comunicarse con Oleg Daugovish a UCCE –Ventura: (805) 645-1454 o odaugovish@ucdavis.edu

tunnel workshop

Chlorpyrifos Meeting - What to do with and it and what to do without it on Citrus. Coming to Santa Paula

Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban) is a pesticide long used in citrus along with many other crops. It is an organophosphate that has value partly because it is persistent, which is also one of its drawbacks. One of its uses is to control ant species that "farm" such pests as mealybug, aphids and scales. Many organophosphate materials have been removed from the market and their use in residential settings has been severely curtailed.  New restrictive uses are now in place for this material in agriculture and an informational meeting is being held in September for citrus growers on what approaches to take with these restrictions.  During the meeting a workshop on ant identification and management will be offered.

 

Ventura County Breakfast IPM Meeting

 

Citrus IPM and Chlorpyrifos Regulatory Update

 

September 16, 2015 8:00 AM – Noon

Hot Breakfast and Coffee at 8:00 AM

Hansen Research Center

14292 W Telegraph Rd (parking accessed from Briggs Road)

Santa Paula, CA 93060

 

Registration and Hot Breakfast at 8:00 AM

Meeting Runs 8:30 AM until Noon

 

Time	Topics	Org/Speaker	Minutes
8:00 AM	Hot Breakfast Served	Group	-
8:30 AM	Welcome and Introductions Context of Chlorpyrifos in Local IPM	Ben Faber, UCCE Farm Advisor Ventura County	15
8:45 AM	Project Overview & Crop Team Process Definition of Critical Uses of Chlorpyrifos Decision Support Tools Hands-on Training	Peter B. Goodell and Lori Berger, UC Statewide IPM Program	45
9:30 AM	Best Management Practices	Dennis Chessman or NRCS Representative or UC Statewide IPM Program Personnel	15
9:45 AM	Citrus Pest Update	Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UCCE, Lindcove REC	30
10:15 AM	BREAK	BREAK	15
10:30 AM	Ant ID and Training	Kris Tollerup, Area IPM Advisor, Kearney REC	30
11:00 AM	Stewardship Principles in IPM Science Behind New Regulations Required Mitigation	Mark Robertson and/or Randy Segawa, CDPR	20
11:20 AM	Local Restrictions on Chlorpyrifos	Representative of the Ventura County Ag Commissioner Office	10
11:30 AM	Local on-Farm Stewardship Impact of Regulations on Decisions on IPM Closing Comments by Farm Advisor and UC Statewide IPM	“Local Leadership”   UCCE/ PCA/Grower/ Crop Team Leader panel	30
Meeting Adjourns at Noon

 

CDPR Continuing Education Units Applied for: 3.0 hours (1.0 Laws/ 2.0 Other)

Hot Breakfast Courtesy of Citrus Research Board

argentine ant

Read more