Potential rules protecting indoor and outdoor workers from hazardous heat could have significant ramifications for US citrus growers. Could they result in a situation where workers in a citrus grove would enjoy 35- to 45-minute rest breaks every hour, if the temperatures are too high?
Ellen Hendley, vice president at AgWorks H2, LLC, doesn’t want to imagine it. That’s why she is encouraging growers to be as vocal as possible.
“I don’t know how you’re going to feed America if you’re shutting down the farmers because it’s too hot outside when they’re already taking all of these steps and measures to protect their workers and doing everything they can to make sure they’re safe,” Hendley said. “I just don’t think they realize how it’s going to affect [Southeast producers].”
Source: citrusindustry.net
