agriculture

Lack of Federal Heat Protections For Outdoor, Farm Workers Draw Advocates’ Ire

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On a summer morning near Dayton, Ohio, a temporary worker began his first day with a commercial roofing company around 6:30 a.m.

Mark Rainey, 60, was assigned to a crew to rip off and dispose of an old bank-building roof. Within hours, as the heat index reached 85 degrees, his co-workers noticed the new guy was “walking clumsily,” then became ill and collapsed, according to documents from the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Rushed to the hospital on Aug. 1, 2012, Rainey was diagnosed with heat stroke and a core body temperature of 105.4 degrees; he died three weeks later. For the next 6 ½ years, the circumstances surrounding Rainey’s death became a vigorously fought battle between his employer and OSHA, highlighting the lack of a clear standard on heat protection for outdoor workers.

Farm safety

OSHA’s Hands Tied When Workers Are Killed on Small Farms

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The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration doesn’t investigate farm deaths, like Brandon Mullen’s in Iowa in 2013, because of a fateful decision by Congress more than 40 years ago that has given small farms unique immunity from safety oversight. A Fairwarning.org report.

Environment

Controversy As Northeast Iowa Frac Sand Mine No. 1 In Violations Seeks To Expand

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A controversial frac sand mining company that recently opened a site in Wisconsin is facing opposition to plans that would greatly expand its mine in Clayton County, Iowa. Pattison Sand Co. has requested re-zoning of 746 acres of land from agricultural to heavy industrial to expand its underground mine.

Business & Consumer Affairs

Expect No Farm Safety Legislation This Year In Iowa

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Support from Iowa lawmakers for stricter farm safety regulation does not exist in the new legislative session. This is despite agriculture being Iowa’s deadliest occupation and limited Occupational Safety and Health Administration enforcement and coverage. No one is pushing for state remedies, or calling for a federal government they distrust to improve farm safety to step in. Moreover, Gov. Terry Branstad says he would not support a new or more aggressive program for agricultural safety. “I think that would be a detriment to agriculture,” Branstad told IowaWatch in an interview at the opening of the session.