|
Farmworkers & The Law
|
Farmwork in NC
|
Migrant & Seasonal
|
Immigration Status |
H2A
|
Wages
|
Worker's compensation
|
Access
|
Housing
|
Field Sanitation
|
Pesticides
|
AWPA
Pesticides
Farmworkers are exposed to pesticides and other dangerous agricultural chemicals in several ways. They may be exposed through direct contact with sprayers while
working in the field or while mixing chemicals without proper protective gear. They may live in a house that is next to a field and be exposed through drift. Many
workers are exposed to pesticides through contact with residues left on the leaves of plants or through chemically treated soil. Although the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), has set federal standards to protect workers from exposure to pesticides, many farmworkers and their families are exposed each year.
Due
to
underreporting
of
incidences
it
is
difficult
to
quantify
the
number
of
farmworkers
who
have
been
dangerously
exposed
to
pesticides.
However,
the
EPA
estimates
that
between
20,000
to
300,000
farmworkers
suffer
annually
from
exposure
(1).
Exposure
to
pesticides
is
difficult
to
diagnose
and
it
is
important
that
physicians
and
health
care
workers
who
are
treating
farmworkers
inquire
about
pesticide
exposure.
Exposure
to
pesticides
is
difficult
to
diagnose
and
it
is
important
that
physicians
and
health
care
workers
who
are
treating
farmworkers
inquire
about
pesticide
exposure.
 Workers need to take safety precautions when working with pesticides and
agricultural chemicals. However, worker education alone does not decrease incidences of exposure.
Washing pesticide laden clothing thoroughly, hand washing, wearing
protective gear, and not entering fields that have been sprayed is only
effective if the farmer complies with EPA worker protection standards. For
example, workers are not able to wash their work clothes properly if they
are not provided with a wash tub with a drain or washing machine and they
cannot wash their hands in the fields if facilities are not provided.
Migrant
farmworkers
may
submit
an
anonymous
complaint
to
the
NCDOL
if
their
employer
is
violating
EPA
worker
protection
standards.
Individuals
may
also
file
complaints
on
behalf
of
workers.
The
North
Carolina
Retaliatory
Emp loyment Discrimnation
Act
prohibits
employers
from
retaliating
against
workers
who
defend
their
rights
under
EPA
worker
protection
standards
For
more
information
about
government
regulations
concerning
pesticides
and
worker
safety
read
the
EPA
worker
protection
standards
Resources
1. U.S. General Accounting Office, Pesticides on farms: Limited capability exists to monitor occupational illnesses and injuries (December 1993).
|
