Voice of the FieldsCalifornia

F A R M L A B O R I N F O R M A T I O N B U L L E T I N

Hydrating for Field Workers and updated Heat Illness Prevention laws

Continued on next page

Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environ-ments are at risk of succumbing to heat stress. Exposure to ex-treme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat

stress can bring on heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and/or heat rashes. Prevention of heat stress in workers is important. Employers should provide training to workers to ensure they understand what heat stress is, how it aff ects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.

July 2015 FREE Volume 25, Number 7

Th e California Division of Occupa-tional Safety and Health, Cal-OSHA is the State regulatory body governing Califor-nia’s heat illness prevention laws passed in 2005. Th is year, Cal-OSHA announced revisions to its heat illness prevention plans. Eff ective May 1, 2015, employers should make the necessary changes to accommodate for the updates and ensure compliance with the revised regulations. Th e provisions include requirements for employers to place water closer to work-ers, provide shade that would shelter all of them, and in cases of high heat, provide 10 minute breaks for every two hours of work.

Below are some highlights of the revised standards:n Water must be “fresh, pure, suitably

cool” and located as close as practicable to where employees are working.

n Shade must be provided when tempera-tures reach 80 degrees (previously 85 degrees) and suffi cient to accommo-

date all employees on recovery or rest periods, and those onsite taking meal periods.

n Employers must observe and monitor employees taking a “preventative cool-down rest” for symptoms of heat illness. Employers must encourage employees to remain in the shade and may not order employees back to work until symptoms are gone. Employees with symptoms must be provided appropriate fi rst aid or emergency response.

n Employers in certain industries must institute high-heat procedures if the temperature reaches or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Such procedures must ensure eff ective observation and monitoring. Employers must conduct pre-shift meetings that include a review of the high-heat procedures, encourage employees to drink water, and remind employees of their right to take cool-down rest periods.

n Emergency response procedures must include eff ective communication, ap-propriate response to signs and symp-toms of heat illness, and procedures for contacting emergency responders to help stricken workers.

n Acclimatization procedures include the observation of all employees during a heat wave and close observation of new employees during their fi rst two weeks on the job.

n In addition to previously required content, training programs must now include content regarding: (1) the em-ployer’s responsibility to provide water, shade, cool-down rests, and access to fi rst aid; (2) an employee’s right to exer-cise his or her rights under the standard without retaliation; (3) acclimatization; and (4) appropriate fi rst aid and/or emergency response.Find the complete guide of regulation

amendments on Cal-OSHA’s website: htt p://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/heatill-nessinfo.html

In the event that the above preven-tative measures should fail to protect workers, it remains critical to be able to recognize the symptoms of heat illnesses and how to treat them.

HydrationContinued from previous page

Heat ExhaustionHeat exhaustion is the body’s

response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating. Workers most prone to heat exhaustion are those that are elderly, have high blood pressure, and those working in a hot environment.

SymptomsSymptoms of heat exhaustion include:n Heavy sweatingn Extreme weakness or fatiguen Dizziness, confusionn Nausean Clammy, moist skinn Pale or flushed complexionn Muscle crampsn Slightly elevated body temperaturen Fast and shallow breathing

First AidTreat a worker suffering from heat exhaustion with the following:n Have them rest in a cool, shaded or air-

conditioned area.n Have them drink plenty of water or

other cool, nonalcoholic beverages.n Have them take a cool shower, bath, or

sponge bath.

Heat StrokeHeat stroke is the most serious

heat-related disorder. It occurs when the body is no longer able to maintain a healthy temperature. During a heat stroke the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. When heat stroke occurs, a person’s body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not given.

SymptomsSymptoms of heat stroke include:n Hot, dry skin or profuse sweatingn Hallucinationsn Chillsn Throbbing headachen High body temperaturen Confusion/dizzinessn Slurred speech

First AidTake the following steps to treat a worker with heat stroke:n Call 911 and notify their supervisor.n Move the sick worker to a cool

shaded area.n Cool the worker using methods

such as: • Soaking their clothes with water.• Spraying, sponging, or showering

them with water.• Fanning their body.

Heat CrampsHeat cramps typically affect workers

who sweat heavily during strenuous activity. Heavy sweating depletes essential salt and moisture from the body, causing painful muscle cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

SymptomsSymptoms of heat cramps include: n Muscle pain or spasms usually in the

abdomen, arms, or legs.

First AidWorkers with heat cramps should:n Stop all activity, and sit in a cool place.n Drink clear juice or a sports beverage.n Do not return to strenuous work for

a few hours after the cramps subside because further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

n Seek medical attention if any of the following apply: • The worker has heart problems.• The worker is on a low-sodium

diet.• The cramps do not subside within

one hour.

Recommendations for Workers

Workers should avoid exposure to extreme heat, strong sunlight, and high humidity when possible. When these exposures cannot be avoided, workers should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:n Wear light-colored, loose-fitting,

breathable clothing such as cotton. • Avoid non-breathing synthetic

clothing.n Gradually build up to heavy work.n Schedule heavy work during the

coolest parts of day.n Take more breaks in extreme heat

and humidity. • Take breaks in the shade or a cool

area when possible.n Drink water frequently. Drink

enough water that you never become thirsty. Approximately 1 cup every 15-20 minutes.

n Avoid alcohol, and drinks with large amounts of caffeine or sugar.

n Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.

n Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.

Adapted from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention

LA Voz SpotLight: Dr. Alfredo Quiñones

Over 25 years ago Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa crossed the border from

Mexico and moved to the United States where he worked as a farmworker in San Joaquin Valley. Today, Quiñones-Hinojosa is a neurosurgeon at John Hopkins Schools of Medicine, one of the most prestigious medical schools in the country.

The eldest of five children, Quiñones-Hinojosa came from a working family who like many were hit hard when Mexico’s economy collapsed in the 1970s. Dire circumstances pushed him North to the United States where he worked on a ranch to support his family.

Quiñones-Hinojosa picked cotton, tomatoes and cantaloupes, and lived in the fields in a broken-down camper that he bought for $300. After multiple close calls at work that threatened his safety, Alfredo realized he wanted more in life. He signed up for English classes at a local community college where he was encouraged to further pursue his education at the University of California, Berkeley.

Quiñones-Hinojosa was accepted to Berkeley on scholarship, and it was there that he developed his passion for science. Quiñones-Hinojosa’s dedication and drive further led him to Harvard Medical School. It was during the beginning of his medical school education that Quiñones-Hinojosa also received his U.S. citizenship.

Today, Quiñones-Hinojosa is a renowned neurosurgeon who not only offers the highest level of care to patients, but also conducts imperative research that allows others to further their efforts to save lives.

Dr. Quiñones-Hinojosa‘s story originates like that of many immigrants in this country. Defying expectations with the help of supporters and the determination to be more, Quiñones-Hinojosa’s now serves as the embodiment of the American Dream.

E-cigarettes and the Continued Dangers of Smoking

Most people know that smoking is bad for your health thanks to extensive anti-smoking campaigns. While the number of smokers has gone down, current smokers are still causing

harm. Electronic cigarettes have become an established industry and while marketed as safer than regular cigarettes, recent developments show the harm “e-cigarettes” have caused.

Below is information on how smoking cigarettes and e-cigarettes impacts your health and the health of others around you:

Electronic cigarettes deliver a mix of toxic chemicals including carcinogens into the lungs. Engineers developed e-cigarettes to offer tobacco users a smoke-free source of nicotine. The devices heat up a liquid that a user inhales, but there is no smoke to release because nothing is burning.

Researchers have yet to conclusively agree on the dangers found in smoking e-cigarettes, but the vapor being inhaled holds greater risk than scientists had thought. Studies have shown that the e-cigarettes’ vapors contain at least traces of the solvents of nicotine and flavorings, also known as lung irritants.

These solvents can transform into carbonyls. Carbonyls include known cancer-causing chemicals, such as formaldehyde, and suspected carcinogens, such as acetaldehyde.

E-cigarette vapors also make dangerous germs harder to kill. In a test, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can cause pneumonia, was difficult to kill

with a natural antibiotic found in our bodies. The germs exposed to nicotine-heavy vapors developed a protective coating. Over time this allows bacteria to grow in the lungs, proven harder to kill by our natural antibodies.

There is no question that a puff on an e-cigarette is less toxic than a puff on a regular cigarette, but we cannot ignore the growing evidence against the perceived harmlessness of electronic cigarettes.

Cigarette SmokeSmoking is the number 1 cause

of preventable deaths in the United States. About half of the people who smoke will eventually die as a direct result of smoking. Even smoking just a few cigarettes a day can damage a person’s body.

How does smoking cigarettes damage your body?n It weakens the immune system, and

smokers tend to miss more days of work when they get sick from colds and flu.

n Smokers don’t heal as well as nonsmokers when recovering from injuries or surgery.

n It damages the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

n It causes cancer of the lung, as well as cancer in other organs.

n It can cause diabetes.From the 2010 Surgeon General’s

Report, “How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease….what it means to you.” and from the 2014 Surgeon General’s Report, “The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress”.

Secondhand smoke is dangerous, too

Did you know that smoking is not just bad for the smoker? Other people inhale the fumes that come off of a lit cigarette and the smoke that the smoker exhales into the air. This is referred to as secondhand smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is not a small problem. In 2006, the U. S. Surgeon General’s report stated: “There is no safe amount of secondhand smoke. Breathing even a little secondhand smoke can be dangerous.” The list of health issues caused by secondhand smoke is long:n Pregnant women exposed to

secondhand smoke are more likely to give birth to babies with lower birth weights.

n Breathing secondhand smoke can

cause babies to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

n Children exposed to secondhand smoke miss more days of school due to illness.

n Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for asthma and for acute respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.

n A child with asthma who is exposed to secondhand smoke will have worse asthma attacks and will have attacks more often.

n Children exposed to secondhand smoke suffer more ear infections.

n Adults who breathe secondhand smoke miss more days of work due to illness.

n Breathing secondhand smoke causes heart disease and can lead to heart attack.

n Breathing secondhand smoke can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

n Breathing secondhand smoke may increase a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.It is proven that smoking is

dangerous not only for smokers but also for everyone who is around them.

This is why smoking is prohibited in many public places. No one is allowed to smoke at the mall, at the doctor’s office, or at schools. Yet California children are still exposed to secondhand smoke in the place they spend the majority of their time, their home. One third of Californians live in multi-unit housing, such as apartments or condominiums, where units share walls, floors or ceilings. In multi-unit housing secondhand smoke can easily drift from one unit to another.

That means millions of people may be exposed to secondhand smoke even if they do not allow smoking in their unit. Low-income children are particularly at risk.

From the 2006 Surgeon General’s Report, “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke.” and from the 2014 Surgeon General’s Report, “The Health Consequences of Smoking: 50 Years of Progress”.

What can you do to protect your family from secondhand smoke?1 First, don’t smoke. If you do smoke,

ALWAYS smoke outside, away from doors and windows, and make a plan to quit. Anyone in California can get professional counseling to help them quit smoking FOR FREE over the phone at 1-800-662-8887 (English) or 1 800-456-6386 (Spanish). You can also call your local Health Department to ask if there are any smoking cessation classes being held in your area.

2 Second, don’t allow anyone to smoke inside your home. Explain to family members and guests that not smoking inside helps to protect everyone’s health. Also, offer smokers you care about the quitline number.

3 Third, if you live in an apartment building, ask the manager about the smoking policy. Find out if

there is a rule about where people can smoke and if they would consider changing the rules to completely prohibit smoking.

California Smokers Helpline

1-800-NO-BUTTS (1-800-662-8887)

In 2009, the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development sent out a notice that strongly encouraged Public Housing Authorities to implement non-smoking policies. You may ask your landlord to

SmokingContinued from previous page

check with the property owner or your local housing authority about changing your complex’s smoking rules. You may also reach out to your local city or county representatives and find out if they would consider passing a law that prohibits smoking in multi-unit housing.

We all have the right to breathe clean air. Secondhand smoke is full of toxins that can make you and your family sick. To find out more information on how you can prohibit smoking where you live, contact your local Health Department or Housing Authority.

Adapted from Sutter County Tobacco Control

Program

Voice of the Fields

California Circulation: 45,000 copies

www.LaCooperativa.orgpublished monthly by:

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Fax 916.388.2425This product was funded by the U.S. Depart-ment of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration.The opinions expressed in this product are ex-clusive of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Depart-ment 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.

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.

Agricultural Jobs available to U.S. workers under H-2A contractYou may apply for these jobs by phone or in person at your nearest Employment Development Department (EDD) field office

Active CalJobs Number

Job Title Pay Rates Contract Dates Positions City of Job Employer’s County EDD Workforce Service Site Office

1 14400307 Farmworker, Tomato $11.33 8/15/2015 - 11/15/15

100 Oceanside San Diego Oceanside WS (760) 414-3582

2 14391736 Farmworker, Celery $11.33 8/1/2015- 12/05/15

40 King City Monterey Salinas WS (831) 796-3600

3 14388494 Farmworker, Strawberry

$11.33 5/25/2015-02/26/16

20 Santa Maria Santa Barbara Santa Maria WS (805) 614-1550

4 14371983 Farmworker, Strawberry/Blackberry

$11.33 7/6/2015- 11/02/15

150 Salinas/Watsonville

Santa Cruz/Monterey Watsonville WS (831)763-8700

5 14369535 Farmworker/Tomato $11.33 7/1/2015- 11/15/15

100 Oceanside San Diego Oceanside WS (760) 414-3582

6 14401445 Farmworker/Multiple Crops

$11.33 8/17/2015-12/04/15

51 Santa Maria Santa Barbara Santa Maria WS (805) 614-1550

CORRECTION: The June 2015 issue of the Voice of the Fields listed

an incorrect phone number for the Yuba City Migrant Center. The

correct phone number is (530) 671-0220.