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Poor regulatory safeguards leave farmworkers suffocating in the face of increasing heat waves

Summary

Farmworkers in the Midwest, particularly agricultural workers, are facing significant risks due to heat-related illnesses exacerbated by climate change. According to OSHA data, about a fifth of reported heat-related deaths between 2017 and 2022 were agricultural workers. These workers are at least 35 times more likely to die from heat exposure compared to those in other sectors. The absence of federal heat regulations specifically protecting them increases their vulnerability. A lack of proper heat regulations and safety measures from employers further compounds the issue. Despite the high risk, only a few states have adopted outdoor workplace heat-stress standards. Advocacy groups are pushing for a federal standard and regulations to ensure farmworkers' safety and prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths.

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