Latest News

Latest News

Photograph of dry, cracked soil with dead plants

What is Valley Fever?

  • by Teresa Andrews, Elizabeth Georgian, Yurytzy Sanchez

En español

Valley fever is a lung infection caused by a fungus that lives in the top 12 inches of soil. We may breathe in the fungus, which is too small to see with our eyes, when the soil is disturbed. The fungus that causes Valley fever is common in Arizona, California, and Nevada. In fact, nearly all cases of Valley fever in the US are in people in Arizona and California. In California, Valley fever is especially prevalent in the Central Valley and Central Coast. 

Illustration of woman up against a brick wall with the shadow of a man over her

New Workplace Violence Prevention Regulation

  • by Teresa Andrews, Claudia Escobar, Elizabeth Georgian, Stephanie Villanueva

En español

On July 1, 2024, Title 8, §6401.9 Workplace Violence Prevention went into effect. The aim of this law is to decrease violence occurring in the workplace because everyone in California has the right to a safe and healthy workplace.  

What is workplace violence? 

The law defines workplace violence as any act of violence or threat of violence that happens at the workplace.  

Colorful collection of construction safety helmets

The Hierarchy of Controls: a Framework to Reduce Work Hazards

  • by Teresa Andrews, Elizabeth Georgian, Yurytzy Sanchez, Stephanie Villanueva

En español

 

Illustrated as an upside-down pyramid, the hierarchy of controls is used in the workplace as a guide to rank the effectiveness of safety measures that reduce worker exposure to hazards. The hierarchy of controls has five levels. The most effective is elimination at the top of the pyramid, and the least effective is PPE at the bottom of the pyramid.  

1. Elimination 

2. Substitution 

Polytunnels used to grow blackberries and raspberries in Ventura County.

Can Working in Polytunnels Affect Farmworker Health and Safety?

  • by Elizabeth M Georgian

En español

Polytunnels, also known as hoop houses, are commonly used in farming across the U.S. They have a similar function as greenhouses: they protect plants from low temperatures and precipitation. Polytunnels are popular because they are flexible to use and relatively cheap to build. They are made of a metal or PVC skeleton covered with a thick, clear sheet of plastic. In California, polytunnels are used to grow berries, tomatoes, and flowers.

Woman in orange giving paperwork to woman wearing blue

How To Take Leave From Work In California

  • by Elizabeth M Georgian

En español

It is important to know your rights for taking leave if you become sick or are unable work due to disability or pregnancy. Described below are the different types of leave benefits that you may qualify for if you are living in California.

Asparagus harvest

Training Frontline Supervisors is a Good Business Practice

  • by Teresa Andrews

En español

Frontline Supervisors play an important role not only in securing successful production, but also in encouraging a safe workplace culture. The role of frontline supervisors in supporting health and safety is currently being highlighted with the new health and safety challenges that are affecting agriculture.

Stavros Vougioukas presenting at the Emerging Technology Workshop

How Do We Balance Safety and New Technology?

  • by WCAHS

En español

This article summarizes the Emerging Technology in Agriculture: Keeping Health and Safety at the Forefront workshop, which was hosted by the UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCHAS) on Thursday, May 11, 2023. WCAHS organized the workshop in response to the increased interest in agricultural technology and the need to ensure the safety of farmworkers coming in contact with technologies that may pose new hazards.

Subscribe to Latest News