http://www.mydesert.com/article/20090618/NEWS01/90618028/1263/update/More+demanded+from+state+to+stop+heat-related+deathsNicole C. Brambila • The Desert Sun • June 18, 2009
The United Farm Workers of America and ACLU attorneys today called the standards proposed by California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board for heat-related illness for outdoor workers “totally inadequate.”
“We’re glad that the state has finally acknowledged the urgent need to act. But today's announcement is just a baby step that won't increase worker protection,” Catherine Lhamon, assistant legal director for the ACLU of Southern California, said in a news release.
“Cal/OSHA must cut out the exceptions and loopholes now, and focus on investigating employer compliance, imposing fines and other sanctions where appropriate, collecting fines that have been levied, and creating a role for workers in seeing that regulations are enforced.”
The UFW and field laborers held a press conference this morning in Los Angeles and Sacramento.
Cal-OSHA kicked off its heat awareness campaign in March.
The temperature trigger for employers is 85 degrees, when they must provide shade for at least a quarter of the employees working outside.
California had six heat-related fatalities in 2008.
Cal-OSHA introduced state regulations regarding heat-related illness in 2005.
The United Farm Workers asked legislators to press Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to enforce existing laws and seek criminal penalties for employers where negligence causes the heat-related deaths of employees.
FULL story at link.