News

Overview of Cal/OSHA’s Injury & Illness Prevention Program Standard

As stated by Cal/OSHA’s IIPP standard, it is a requirement that all employers establish, implement, and maintain a written IIPP that describes the workplace’s health and safety program, including the eight important elements described below, and how they will be implemented.

Perspectives on the Proposed Emergency Wildfire Regulation

During the May 8 advisory meeting of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) on Petition 573, the proposed emergency regulation to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke, perspectives from community members, organizations, and academic scientists were heard regarding the proposed emergency standard. 

Protecting Human Health in a Changing Climate

As extreme weather events occur more frequently and increase in severity each year, WCAHS is proud to welcome investigator, Kathryn (Katie) Conlon, PhD, and her research expertise related to adaptation strategies to protect human health in a changing climate.

Research

Transformations within Yolo County Agriculture: Anecdotal Observations of a PhD Candidate and Former Small-Scale Farmer

As a former small-scale, diversified farmer (e.g., flowers, vegetables) and goat dairy manager, my deep-rooted agricultural background informs my research as an epidemiology PhD candidate at the University of California, Davis. My dissertation focuses on evaluating the risk of disease transmission in the wildlife-livestock-human interface.

Research

Heat Illness Prevention Standard Requirements

As the summer heat quickly approaches, it is important for all outdoor places of employment, including agriculture, to know that a Heat Illness Prevention Plan can be integrated into their Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).

2018–2019 Rapid Response Funding Awarded

Earlier this year, WCAHS accepted proposals for short-term projects that address research, outreach, or educational issues of agricultural health and safety in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and/or Nevada. Twelve competitive proposals were received and the following five projects were funded.

Research

Top 3 Ways to Identify Hazards in the Workplace

Having an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) is not only required by Cal/OSHA, but also helps to create a safe work environment for employees.

Upcoming Advisory Meeting to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke

A new petition has been submitted to develop and emergency standard to protect outdoor workers—including agricultural farmworkers, construction, landscaping, and others—from wildfire smoke.

Protecting Dairy Workers from Infectious Disease

WCAHS investigators seek to better understand the occupational risks of zoonotic infection among California dairy workers.

Research

Animal Agriculture, Air Quality, and Climate Change

Dr. Frank Mitloehner of the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis discusses the challenges that California dairies will face as they attempt to reduce agricultural emissions by 2030. 

Research

California Heat Illness Prevention Study Findings

Avoidable deaths and heat-related illnesses still occur among California farmworkers despite regulations from the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) and a campaign to encourage drinking more water and taking more rests in the shade.

Research

Night Work: A Growing Trend in Western Agriculture?

Insufficient awareness of the hazards associated with night work increases agricultural worker safety risk.

Research

Sexual Harassment in Napa Vineyards

Sexual Harassment experienced by a third of female farmworkers and negatively effects both farmworker women and men in new study

Research

Christopher Simmons Honored by Department of Pesticide Regulation

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) honored Christopher Simmons, PhD, and his research team, with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Award for their work with biosolarization, a process that combines the sun’s heat with soil amendments to manage weeds and other soil-borne pests.

Schenker named ‘Leader in Field’ of Agromedicine

The Journal of Agromedicine has named distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Public Health Sciences, Dr. Marc Schenker, its “Leader in the Field” for 2019.