FA R M
L A B O R
I N F O R M AT I O N
B U L L E T I N
Voice of the Fields California
May 2018
FREE
Volume 28, Number 5
Heat Illness Prevention
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ANY PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED to heat on the job, both in outdoor and indoor environments. Jobs involving high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities can cause heat-related illness.
Workers in every sector are susceptible to heat-related illness. Jobs performed in hot weather and direct sun have an exceptionally high risk of causing heat-related illness. This includes farm work, construction, landscaping, etc. In fact, over 40% of heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry. Indoor operations also have the potential to cause heat-related illness. This includes workplaces such as bakeries, confectioneries, commercial kitchens,
laundries, food canneries, etc. Each year, thousands of workers become ill, and dozens die, while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a variety of different heat illnesses that can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. Heat-related illness range from heat rash and cramps all the way to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot environments can be hazardous because they stop the body from getting rid of excess heat. This causes an increase in the body’s core temperature and heart rate. As the body continues to store heat, the person will begin to lose concentration. They might become irritable or sick, and often lose the desire to drink. The next stage is fainting, and sometimes death if the body is not cooled down. It is important to know the symptoms and first aid protocols for heat-related illnesses.
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An illness prevention program includes: n Providing workers with water, rest, and shade. n Allowing new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they adjust or build a tolerance for working in the heat. n Planning for emergencies and training workers on prevention. n Monitoring workers for signs of illness. n Engineering controls, such as air conditioning and ventilation to reduce temperature.
It is very important for employers to take steps to prevent heat-related illness. Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for keeping workplaces free of known safety hazards, which includes extreme heat. If an employer has workers exposed to high temperatures, they should establish a complete heat illness prevention program. Sources: www.osha.gov/heat/ www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html
California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat illness:
1 2 3 4
TRAINING Train all employees and supervisors and about heat illness preevention.
WATER Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart (four 8-ounce glasses) of water per hour and ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO SO. SHADE Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cooldown rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. THEY SHOULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THEY FEEL SICK TO COOL DOWN. PLANNING Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.
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Heat Illness Symptoms and First Aid Heat Stroke
Heat Cramps
n
n
SYMPTOMS
Usually in abdomen,arms, or legs
Seizures n n
SYMPTOMS
FIRST AID
FIRST AID CALL 911 to strenuous work don’t go away
Heat Rash
compresses or ice if available
n
Heat Exhaustion n
n
SYMPTOMS
Often appears on neck, upper chest, folds of skin
SYMPTOMS Heavy sweating Nausea or vomiting Dizziness Weakness
n
FIRST AID when possible
There are several different ways to determine if the work environment is too hot: Temperature rises Humidity increases Sun gets stronger No air movement No controls in place to reduce the impacts of equipment radiating heat Protective clothing or gear is worn Work is strenuous
FIRST AID
or symptoms worsen or do not improve within 60 minutes
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California June 2018 Primary
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marks the beginning of a momentous election cycle. If you are at least 18 years old and a United States citizen, it is very important for you to register to vote in time for the primary on June 5, 2018. The deadline to register to vote online or by mail is May 21, 2018. To register registertovote.ca.gov. You can register in English, Spanish,
You can also register by mail, as long as it is postmarked by May 21, 2018. You can pick up a paper voter registration application at your county elections
find out. This website provides a lot of important information. It allows you to check where you are registered to vote, your political party preference, your language preferred,
on Election Day, you may do so from 7:00am to 8:00 pm. The location of your polling place will be listed Information Guide. You can also find your polling place at voterstatus.sos. ca.gov. In most cases, you will not be required to show identification at the polling place. However, it is a good idea to bring identification with you when you vote for the first time. Even if your name is not on the voter list at the polling place, you have a right to vote with a provisional ballot. Your provisional ballot will be counted only after the elections official has confirmed you are a registered voter and you did not vote anywhere else in that election. If you would like a vote-by-mail ballot, your application must be received no later than May 29, 2018. You can complete the application in the
VOTE CALIFORNIA RegisterToVote.ca.gov
or U.S. post office. If you do not register in time, you may conditionally register and vote at your county elections office. To find out more information on this process, please visit www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voterregistration/conditional-voter-reg/. In order to register to vote, you will or identification card number, the last four digits of your social security number, and your date of birth. If you are unsure of whether or not you are registered to vote, you can visit voterstatus.sos.ca.gov to
and the status of your vote-by-mail or provisional ballot. You can also use this website to find your polling place, information about upcoming local and state elections, and the contact information for your county elections office. Additionally, this website allows you to change how you receive your state and county voter guide before each election. Once you register to vote, you can choose to vote in person or you can get a vote-by-mail ballot. If you would like to vote in person
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received from your county elections http:// elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/vote-bymail/pdf/vote-by-mail-application. pdf) that you can print, sign, and mail to your county elections office. counted, you must mail it to your county elections official, return it in
person to a polling place or the office of your county elections official, drop your ballot into one of your county’s drop boxes, or authorize someone to return the ballot on your behalf. If you are mailing your ballot
MAY
DATES TO REMEMBER Voter Registration Deadline MAY 21, 2018 Vote by Mail Ballots Due MAY 29, 2018
to your county elections official, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than 3 days after Election Day. If you are returning it in person or dropping it off at a ballot drop box, you must do so no later than 8:00pm on Election Day. Information Guide, contact your county elections office www.sos. ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/ county-elections-offices/ or call the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter hotline at 1-800-345-VOTE (8683). Make sure you are part of
you meet the criteria to vote, register today! Remember the deadline to register to vote is May 21, 2018.
Resources n
n
If you have any questions about how to vote, or how to register to vote, you can contact the office of the Secretary of State by calling toll free 1-800-345-VOTE (8683). To obtain the contact information of your local county elections officials, visit the Secretary of State website at www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/voting-resources/countyelections-offices/. Sources: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/
MAY FEATURED PROGRAM
Services for English Learners and Immigrant Families
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O HELP INDIVIDUALS who face substantial cultural and language barriers, the Madera County Workforce Investment Corporation, The Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board, and the State Center Adult Education Consortium, are collaborating to offer the English Language Learner Workforce Navigator Pilot Program. This program includes services for English as a Second Language (ESL), Legal and Immigration Resources, High School Diploma, GED or HiSET exam, Adult Basic Education, Transition to college or higher education, U.S. Citizenship class, Career Technical Education, Transitional Jobs Training, On the Job Training, etc.
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For more information, contact Madera County staff Sophia Aguilar at (559) 662-4509, or Fresno County staff Ana Escareño at (559) 230-4015. The English Language Learner Workforce Navigator Pilot Program is available statewide. For information on other locations offering this program and services, visit your nearest Employment Development Department America’s Job Center of California.SM
EDDResources Resources EDD
Voice of the Fields California Circulation: 45,000 copies
www.edd.ca.gov
www.LaCooperativa.org
Workforce Services General Questions/AJCC Locator .........................(916) 654-7799
Published monthly by: La Cooperativa Campesina de California
CalJOBSSM .......................................................................1-800-758-0398
1107 9th Street, Suite 420, Sacramento, CA 95814
Monitor Advocate, Toll Free hotline to report Employment or Service related complaints ...............................1-866-289-8356
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The opinions expressed in this product are exclusive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.
Disability Insurance English........................................................................... 1-800-480-3287 Spanish ..........................................................................1-866-658-8846 Paid Family Leave English........................................................................... 1-877-238-4373 Spanish ......................................................................... 1-877-379-3819
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Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contract
You may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office Job Number
Job Title
Crop/ Livestock
Pay Rate
Start Date End Date Positions
County
America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC)
15915360
Harvest, Load, Stack, Quality Control, Machine Operator, CalVans Driver
Berries, Broccoli, Peas
$5.50/hr. + $1.50 per carton conventional, or $ 5.75/hr. + $1.60 per carton organic, or$13.18/hr.
5/28/18
9/30/18
60
Santa Cruz
Watsonville Career Center (831) 763-8933
15917400
Harvest, Dumper, Box Stacker
Green Tomatoes
$0.72/bucket, or $118.00 daily, or $13.18/hr.
6/1/18
11/10/18
100
Madera, Merced, Stanislaus
WorkNet of Merced County (209) 726-5407
15924462
Harvest
Tomatoes, Brussel Sprouts
$13.18/hr.
6/11/18
12/2/18
200
San Diego
Oceanside AJCC (760) 631-6150”
Various
Herding
Sheep
$1866.88/monthly
Continuous Continuous
135
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC
Various
Beekeeping
Bees
$13.18/hr.
Continuous Continuous
75
California and Western States
Call your local AJCC
The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to bring nonimmigrant foreign workers to the U.S. to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature. The H-2A employers must demonstrate that qualified U.S. workers are not available for the job and the employment of temporary foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers similarly employed. Preference in hiring will be given to qualified U.S. workers before employers are allowed to bring in foreign workers under the program.
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