June 9, 2008

Heat Stress

Please make every effort to make sure that your employees are properly trained with regards to Heat Stress. Heat Stress plans need to be incorporated into your SB198 plans as well. Remember, workers must have access to cool, clean water and must have access to shade.  This is one of the major issues that OSHA will be addressing this summer, so please plan accordingly. Heat prevention plans can be found here.

January 3, 2008

Ag Burn Rule Variance

On December 27, 2007 the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control Districts Variance Board granted a short 90-day period to allow those growers who would not be able chip their trees in time to replant new ones this season to burn them. The variance was granted because it has been shown that the bio-mass facilities in the area who typically take the majority of chipped material, are either at full capacity or were shut down because of maintenance. Because bio-mass facilities cannot take the chipped material, the Ag contractors who do the chipping have not been able to keep up with the volume of acreage that needs to be chipped.

The burn variance only applies to those who have removed over 20 acres, and are planning to replant this season. Those who apply for the variance will still have to show some proof that they tried to get a contractor to chip their material and have a valid burn permit, for all the details you can look at this one page fact sheet HERE.  For those who are removing under 20 acres, you can still apply to burn by using this application HERE.

August 24, 2007

Support AgJOBS

After receiving a number of inquiries from our members and others asking how they can support AgJOBS, we have decided to provide a letter supporting AgJOBS that can be sent to their Senators, Representatives whomever else they believe should be informed about the bill.

In light of the new DHS rules regarding illegal workers and social security "no-match" letters, AgJOBS is needed now more than ever. Please feel free to pass the letters on to neighbors, family members, friends, and business associates. The more unified our voice is about AgJOBS the better chance we have at passing.

The letter, one addressing US Senators and the other House of Representatives can be found here (AgJOBS Letter). A list of names and addresses who we suggest sending the letters to can be found here (Address List). Be sure to address the letters to the appropriate people and sign with your name.

August 6, 2007

DHS: Targets Illegal Workers

The Department of Homeland Security is poised to present new rules for employers who are notified when a worker's name or social security number is flagged by the Social Security administration. The rule as it reads now, will require employers to fire those employees who cant be verified as a legal worker and can not resolve within 90 days, why the name or social security number on their W-2 doesn't match the S.S.A. database.  If employers do not comply with the new regulations, they will be subject to fines ranging from $250 to $10,000 per incident.  DHS  had the new enforcement plan on the back burner while the Senate debated on a comprehensive immigration reform bill, but since the bills failure the Administration has revealed the intent of their new rules.