"75% of respondents said they had done agricultural work during an active wildfire, or in the presence of wildfire smoke. 37% said their employers had not provided them with any personal protective equipment while they were working during fires. 66% said their health was affected by working during wildfires, with 83% of those citing eye irritation, 75% reporting headaches and 45% shortness of breath."
"57% said they felt sick but continued to work because they couldn't afford the lost income, and 51% said they did so because they were afraid of losing their jobs. Only 25% said they would feel safe gathering more information and signing up for the program through the Sheriff's Office. Our research ... identifies how the county developed a program that expanded access to agricultural workers but in practice primarily meets the needs of owners/operators,"
The Ag Pass program allows agricultural workers into disaster evacuation zones when approved by the Sheriff's Office. A survey of more than 1,000 Sonoma County farmworkers found 75% had worked during active wildfires or in the presence of wildfire smoke, 37% received no personal protective equipment, and 66% reported health effects including eye irritation, headaches, and shortness of breath. Financial pressure and fear of job loss led many to keep working while sick, and only 25% would feel safe enrolling through the Sheriff's Office. The program expanded access but primarily meets owners/operators' needs, while the winegrowers association asserts different workforce experiences based on direct feedback via Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos.
Read at The Mercury News
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