The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board has unanimously approved new regulations pertaining to wildfires and smoke exposure. The decision comes after an emergency rulemaking proposal was …
Labor Shortages Continue for California Farms
California farmers and ranchers report that labor shortages continue to be an issue despite multiple efforts to help remedy the problem. The California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) worked with the …
CFBF: New Nighttime Lighting Requirements ‘Unrealistic’
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board recently held a public hearing on the proposed nighttime lighting requirements for agricultural operations. Several ag industry groups expressed concern …
Ag Employers Urged to Weigh in on Nighttime Labor Regulations
The opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to nighttime labor regulations for the agricultural industry is nearing its end. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is …
Emergency Process Pushing New Air Quality Standard for Wildfire Smoke
A new air quality standard that addresses wildfire smoke which contains high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is moving quickly. A petition that was filed at the end of …
Participation Encouraged for the 2019 Labor Survey
California farmers and ranchers are being asked to participate in the 2019 labor survey to establish an accurate baseline of the state’s labor needs. The Farm Employers Labor Service and …
California Lawmakers Introduce New Immigration Legislation for Ag Workers
Three Democratic lawmakers from California have just presented new immigration legislation that would create an opportunity for undocumented agricultural workers to apply for legal status. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressman Jimmy …
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
U.S. farmers and ranchers discussed the current state of regulations governing the farm labor market and efforts to navigate it, at a workshop during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th …
New Overtime Requirements Need Attention
Several regulatory changes will be affecting the cost of labor this year, including new labor laws that pertain to minimum wage, workday and overtime requirements, as well as paid leave …
AFBF Hopes to Maintain Advertising Requirements for Farm Labor Positions
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed changes to the advertising requirements for farm labor positions. The current rule requires employers to advertise available positions in local print newspapers …
New Sexual Harassment Training Requirements Beginning in 2019
A new law comes into effect in January and makes significant changes to sexual harassment training requirements. Prior to the new regulations coming into effect, sexual harassment prevention training did …
Nighttime Labor Regulations Quietly Moving Fast
A proposal to implement further nighttime labor regulations for the agricultural industry is continuing to make progress. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, had previously …
National H-2A Workforce Sets New Record
A new record has been set as it pertains to the size of the H-2A workforce employed in agricultural production. According to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, the …
Agri View: Problems Farmers Face Each Year
Producing a crop each year isn’t the only thing farmers have to worry about. Everett Griner talks about a few of the biggest problems farmers are faced with each day …