Farmworker dies in Willamette Valley record heat

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2021/06/29/oregon-farmworker-dies-willamette-valley-record-heat/7800594002/

A farmworker died Saturday at a workplace in St. Paul as temperatures in the area that day topped 104 degrees.

Aaron Corvin, a spokesperson for Oregon OSHA, said in an email the agency has opened investigations into Brother Farm Labor Contractor and Ernst Nursery and Farms. The employee who died was working on a crew moving irrigation lines, Corvin said. Officials have not yet identified the person.

Ernst Nursery and Farms did not respond to a call seeking comment Tuesday. Brother Farm Labor Contractor could not be reached for comment.

Corvin said the agency was not aware of other fatalities that appear to be heat-related.

According to the article, Oregon OSHA has only general guidelines for working in the heat, and farmworkers have pretty poor workplace protections.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. Heat deaths are entirely preventable, whether in the workplace or at home.

[Elessar Zappa]

2. I think I read that 200 plus

people have died in British Columbia so far. It’s just an awful situation that we can expect to see more of in the years to come.