Mily Trevino-Sauceda was only 9 years old when her mother collapsed from the heat while working on a farm in Idaho. Her 10-year-old brother desperately tried to revive her with water, but their mother’s ability to work in the sun was forever diminished. Decades later, Trevino-Sauceda, now the executive director of Alianza de Campesinas, reflects on the lack of systemic changes to protect farmworkers from extreme heat. She expresses frustration with the ongoing challenges faced by farmworkers and the disregard for their basic rights and well-being.
As global temperatures reach unprecedented highs, the risks faced by farmworkers and outdoor laborers become more apparent. Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings are becoming increasingly common across the United States, with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in some regions. Shockingly, farmworkers are 35 times more likely to die from heat exposure compared to workers in other industries, as reported by the National Institutes of Health. Unfortunately, there is currently no federal heat standard in place to ensure the health and safety of these workers, highlighting a significant gap in protection.
California stands out as one of the few states that has implemented its own heat standards for farmworkers. These regulations include requirements for accessible fresh water, shaded areas, and health monitoring for workers when temperatures exceed 95 degrees. However, the lack of nationwide standards puts many farmworkers at risk.
Edgar Franks, who has worked as a farm laborer for over 20 years, shares his firsthand experience of enduring oppressive heat while working in various fields. Regardless of protective measures such as ventilated clothing and hats, the intense heat remains unavoidable. Franks emphasizes that this issue should not be normalized, as it is a matter of life and death for those working in the agricultural industry.
Climate change exacerbates the problem by making extreme heat more frequent and intense. Farm labor is especially hazardous due to the physical exertion required, which increases internal body temperature, combined with prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity. Dr. Jonathan Patz, an expert in health and the environment, warns of the dangers faced by farmworkers and the urgent need for action.
Pedro Murrieta Baltazar, a farm laborer in Ohio, shares how his workplace takes precautions to mitigate the risks of heat exposure. They schedule work in cooler areas of the field during the early morning and provide more shaded areas later in the day. Failures to take breaks, drink water, and rest can result in severe symptoms like nausea, dehydration, and muscle cramps, which mimic a fever without infection.
Roxana Chicas, an assistant professor researching the health effects on farmworkers, provides insights into the physical toll of working in extreme heat. She describes observing fern cutters with flushed faces, drenched in sweat, and radiating heat even after some time to cool down. These firsthand experiences underline the urgent need to protect farmworkers from the dangerous consequences of heat exposure.
In addition to the immediate risks faced by farmworkers, unsustainable farming practices contribute to the emissions that drive climate change. Dr. Patz emphasizes the importance of reducing meat consumption in Western diets and implementing more sustainable and regenerative farming methods that reduce water usage, fertilizer dependence, and carbon emissions.
It is clear that comprehensive measures are necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of farmworkers in the face of increasing heat due to climate change. With a focus on both protective policies and sustainable farming practices, it is possible to create a safer and more equitable future for those who labor on the frontlines of our food systems.
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