Farm Bureau at work California Farm Bureau’s government affairs team is at the Capitol, advocating for farmers, ranchers and agriculture’s future. Here are some key issues Farm Bureau is focused on this week.
Agricultural Employment California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health released a third and likely final revision of its proposed heat safety standards for employees working indoors. The 15-day period for public com- ment ends Jan. 12. The proposed Cal/OSHA rule would establish standards meant to prevent heat illness in employees working indoors at warehouses, restaurants and other types of facilities. The sole proposed revision is a tweak to the exposure exemptions in the regulation. The change initially seems to exempt work locations in vehicles with air condition- ing, or shipping or intermodal containers during loading or unloading operations, but only if employees are exposed to heat in excess of 82 degrees for less than 15 min- utes in any 60-minute period and less than 95 degrees at all times. Since it is likely that the interior of a parked vehicle or a shipping container could exceed 95 degrees, this change may offer little regulatory relief for employers who will have to comply with the standard. California Farm Bureau will offer com- ments expressing concern about this over- ly narrow exemption. The Indoor Heat Illness Standard is ex- pected to be approved in March. It could take effect as early as this spring. Pesticides The California Farm Bureau partici- pated in a last-minute meeting called by the California State Board of Food and Agriculture related to the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s pesticide noti- fication proposal. The focus of the meeting was to get input from the agricultural community so that the board might consider sending a letter to DPR outlining its concerns. During significant discussion, Farm Bureau outlined concerns related to data
Wildfire California Farm Bureau supports Assembly Bill 397, authored by Assembly Member Bill Essayli, R-Corona. The bill would require the California Air Resources Board consider the carbon out- put from wildfires in its updated scoping plan regarding the state’s greenhouse gas reduction strategy. To date, such carbon emissions are not considered by CARB.
The bill failed to get enough votes in 2023 but was granted reconsideration, making it a two-year bill. Another wildfire measure supported by Farm Bureau, Assembly Bill 1554, authored by Assembly Member Joe Patterson, R-Roseville, would add wildfire fuels re- duction projects to the list of exemptions related to the California Environmental Quality Act.
security, grower and worker protection from those who wish to prevent an appli- cation, and the need for this system when public access to all restricted-use materials applications already exists. At the conclusion of the public testimo- ny, the state board unanimously agreed to send a letter to DPR. Farm Bureau will con- tinue to engage on the issue with written comments, which are due Jan. 12.
www.californiabountiful.com A Farm Bureau Production
LOCAL STATIONS KVPT/18 Fresno/Visalia
Sun. 11:30 a.m.
Santa Barbara/ Sat.
6:30 p.m.
KSBY/6
San Luis Obispo
SATELLITE TV RFD-TV: Dish Ch. 231, DirectTV Ch. 345
Sun. 8:00 a.m.*
*Times listed are Pacific Time
Now trending
@cabountiful
January 10, 2024 Ag Alert 11
Powered by FlippingBook