Staying safe in extreme heat is both a priority and a growing challenge for farmworkers. Between 2011 and 2012, an average of 43 farmworkers annually lost their lives due to environmental heat, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This recording of a May 2024 "Free School" webinar was geared specifically to farm workers and was delivered in both English and Spanish. It provides practical information about preventing, identifying and responding to heat-related illness. The session was co-hosted by Not Our Farm, UW-Extension, and FairShare CSA Coalition.
View the recording in English View the recording in Spanish
Topics covered:
- Preventative action: what can you do to stay hydrated and safe?
- Warning signs: what should you look for and how can you identify warning signs - both for yourself and others?
- Emergency action: what steps should you take when help is needed right away?
- On-farm examples: how can the farm work environment support a culture of safety?
Presenters:
- Maxfield Estela. Max is a Tucson, Arizona-based EMT. His background includes working on 911 Ambulances along the US/Mexico border, as a sawyer/EMT on wildland fire crews, and as a volunteer providing humanitarian aid in the borderlands with No Más Muertes/No More Deaths.
- Yessica Martínez. Yessica is an MS student in the Environmental Health program at Colorado State University, with a concentration inOccupational Safety and Ergonomics. Born and raised in Colombia and with a background in physical therapy and public health administration, Yessica currently works as an outreach core with CSU’s High Plains Intermountain Center for Agricultural Health and Safety supporting the promotion of health and safety in the workplace for agricultural workers.
- Alex Hagiepetros. After a decade working in the food service industry, Alex pivoted in their late 20's to growing food for their community rather than preparing it in its final form for their community. A deep love of delicious food for all and a passion for teaching has led them to a leadership position working for a non-profit farm in Washington.
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Skot Colacicco is a California-based farmworker.