Initiative on Protecting Farmworkers from Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke

Secretary Becerra’s Initiative on Protecting Farmworkers from Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke launched in March 2024 to address the growing threats of heat and smoke for these essential workers. The Initiative has published an authoritative review of measures to protect farmworkers from wildfire smoke, expanded language access for Health Hazard Reviews, and developed an occupational heat stress training tool.

Open for Public Comment

One of the most significant accomplishments from the Initiative is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) draft Hazard Review on Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers. This draft Hazard Review is the first federal level authoritative document with a focus on wildland fire smoke for outdoor workers and will increase awareness about the overall risk of exposure to wildland fire smoke on outdoor worker health. It provides a concise review, critical analysis, and evaluation of scientific evidence related to the impact of occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke among farmworkers and other outdoor workers. This draft Hazard Review can drive the development of new, innovative controls to reduce outdoor worker exposures to wildfire smoke. The Hazard Review is open for public comment until January 10, 2025.

You are also encouraged to comment on the Department of Labor’s recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. This proposed rule is a significant step toward a federal heat standard to protect workers and is made possible by research from CDC NIOSH. The proposed rule is open for public comment until December 30, 2024.

The Work of Secretary’s Initiative

You can learn more about the work of Secretary Becerra’s Initiative on Protecting Farmworkers from Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke in HHS’ Farmworker Appreciation Day Press Release, which is available in English, Español (Spanish), and Mixteco. A full summary of the work of the Initiative through August, 2024 is available in HHS’ Farmworker Appreciation Day Factsheet, available in English and Español (Spanish). As part of the Secretary’s Initiative, of the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity has published information on how Migrant Health Centers can use federal funds to finance sustainability and resilience investments in English and Español (Spanish), and created case studies showcasing how health centers and other providers are leveraging these programs.

This webpage will be updated as additional summaries of the Initiative’s work are published this fall.