Climate Resilience for Farmworker Health and Safety

Climate Resilience for Farmworker Health and Safety project

This project supports agricultural workers in Yakima County by promoting workplace health and safety in response to climate impacts, particularly risks associated with extreme heat and wildfire smoke, through education, community outreach, and culturally relevant resources.

We work directly with agricultural workers and their communities through workshops, workplace outreach, resource distribution, and community education. We make prevention information and tools practical, accessible, and relevant to workers.

Our work included:

5 educational workshops for agricultural workers
2 ranch visits bringing information and resources directly to workers
275 health and safety kits distributed to agricultural workers
A digital education campaign focused on prevention and safety
Educational materials to support continued learning and access to information

Workshops

Through our peer-to-peer education model, we train community promotoras to share practical information about the health risks of extreme heat and wildfire smoke with agricultural workers.

As part of the project, we conduct five educational workshops in Yakima County focused on prevention, warning signs, and protective measures.

Health & Safety Kits

275 agricultural workers in Yakima County will receive health and safety kits with practical resources to help protect them from risks associated with extreme heat and wildfire smoke during their workday.

Testimonials

“Many people don’t know that they are protected or that resources are available. I have met several people who are afraid to speak up because they don’t have enough information. I’m very glad this information is being shared. Thank you so much.”

Liliana — Yakima

“Employers should provide these trainings to their workers, but some don’t, and there isn’t enough oversight. I believe this is very important information that should always be kept in mind.”

Ernesto — Yakima

“One day at work, I was picking fruit and started feeling sick. I told my brother, and he helped me down from the ladder, took me to the shade, and gave me water. What surprised me was that I didn’t notice any symptoms beforehand. Now I understand that maybe I wasn’t properly hydrated or wasn’t taking enough breaks.”

Osvaldo — Yakima

The Workplace Health and Safety in Response to Climate Impacts for Agricultural Workers is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.