President Joe Biden declared Sept. 15 to Sept. 21 as National Farm Safety and Health Week.
“I call upon the people of the United States — including America’s farmers, ranchers and agriculture-related institutions, organizations and businesses — to reaffirm a dedication to farm safety and health,” the President stated. “I also urge all Americans to express appreciation and gratitude to our farmers, farmworkers and ranchers for their tireless service to our nation.”
Biden declared that American farmers, farmworkers and ranchers “work around the clock to nourish our nation and power our economy … They also steward lands and provide meaningful jobs in our rural and tribal communities.”
Working on farms “can be exhausting and hazardous,” the President continued. “The agriculture sector is one of America’s most dangerous industries. Climate change and intensifying extreme heat puts the lives of agricultural workers at risk and decreases productivity and profits. Uncertainty in the industry heightens stress and takes a toll on our farmworkers’ mental health. And unfortunately, many rural communities lack accessible health care, as nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed in the past 20 years.”
Biden cited examples of ways his administration has attempted to keep farmworkers safe and secure. They included:
- Proposing a federal safety standard for excessive heat in the workplace, which would require employers to implement rest breaks, provide access to shade and water, and develop a plan to respond to heat illness.
- Finalizing a Farmworker Protection Rule to strengthen protections for temporary agricultural workers.
“During National Farm Safety and Health Week, we honor farmers, farmworkers and ranchers for putting food on our tables, powering our economy and supporting our communities,” the President concluded. “And we recommit to ensuring they have the resources they need to continue this work and live full, healthy lives.”
See the President’s full proclamation here.
Source: The White House
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