Farmworkers work tirelessly in harsh and demanding conditions to put food on our tables every day. Yet, they are not afforded the same level of protections as workers in other industries. In the US, more than 1.1 billion pounds of pesticides are applied to crops annually and farmworkers are the most overexposed population to pesticides. Now, we have a unique opportunity to help protect the health and safety of our nation's 2 million farmworkers and their families.
After more than 20 years, the US Environmental Protection Agency has proposed changes to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), the regulation that requires workplace protections to minimize farmworkers' exposure to pesticides. The Migrant Clinicians Network's letter to the EPA supports the proposed changes to the WPS that foster improved worker health and safety and calls for additional, stronger safeguards to better protect farmworkers.
The EPA needs to hear from you. Farrmworkers need your support to ensure their wellbeing. Show your support for protecting farmworkers from unsafe conditions by the comment deadline on August 18, 2014.
