They say the rules could unnecessarily limit production. Opponents say the rules are too restrictive, and not specific enough to each industry, claiming some rules for protecting farmers donвЂ™t make sense to apply to loggers. вЂ“ Sara Duncan, Oregon Forest Industries Council communications director They primarily affect the agriculture, forestry and construction industries, which employ more than 300,000 people in Oregon, according to the U.S. This year state officials hope to avoid any harm thanks to two new sets of rules that became permanent June 15. In 2021, extreme heat led to the death of an Oregon farmworker. вЂњThe summer before last when we had bad smoke, everyone was caught flat-footed.вЂќ The Portland-based project advocates for low-wage workers.Дuring the 2020 Labor Day weekend wildfires, many farmworkers harvested crops while breathing unhealthy levels of smoke. вЂњTheyвЂ™re usually comforted and relieved to know,вЂќ said Kate Suisman, an attorney at the Northwest Workers Justice Project. OregonвЂ™s 86,000 farmworkers face among the highest risks from heat and smoke in summer, but many donвЂ™t know that new rules guarantee shade areas or water, for example.

With temperatures rising and fire season officially declared, advocates are visiting farms and job sites in Oregon, educating workers about new state rules to protect them from extreme heat and wildfire smoke.

Black forest industries