– A fifth of heat-related deaths between 2017 and 2022 were linked to agricultural work, as per OSHA information.
– Experts are pinpointing the significant effects of climate change, particularly heatwaves, on this demographic.
– This issue is currently largely overlooked and under-reported.
Heat on the Horizon: Missouri’s Agricultural Workers at Risk
The Tremendous Toll of High Temperatures
In a recent survey of heat-related deaths, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) data from 2017 and 2022 warns that one in five fatalities was an agricultural worker. This stark revelation underscores the harsh reality of an often-overlooked profession. Amid cornfields and grazing livestock, many of our agricultural workers are facing an increased risk from rising global temperatures.
Climate Change and Agricultural Sector: A Lethal Mix
Climate change and the increasing prevalence of heatwaves are continuing to have a severe and under-reported impact on this group of workers. Heatwaves are not just uncomfortable but can become a potentially fatal threat to those working extended hours in conditions offering little to no respite from scorching temperatures. These individuals are often working in wide-open spaces, exposing them to the harsh, unrelenting sun, with few opportunities to find shade.
Academics, occupational health specialists, and advocacy groups are now standing up and shining a light on this underexposed issue. There is an urgent call for deeper investigation, improved protective measures, policy developments and awareness campaigns to ensure that the wellbeing of our agricultural workers is not compromised or sacrificed in the face of climate change.
The Breezy Take
While the ongoing climate change conversation has been largely dominated by discussions about environmental impact and forward-looking solutions, the severe human cost, especially towards certain vocations like agricultural workers, remains uncomfortably overlooked. The fact that a fifth of heat-related deaths are linked to this sector is a sobering statistic that calls for more than just passive acknowledgement. Policies, protective measures, and awareness efforts need robust implementation and consistent follow-through. Now is the time to turn up the heat on addressing the impact of global warming on the agriculture sector and its stalwart workers. The sun may be relentless, but so must be our actions to protect those toiling beneath it.
Original article: https://www.stlpr.org/economy-business/2023-08-25/midwest-farmworkers-struggle-with-extreme-heat-and-almost-no-regulatory-safeguards