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Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2571| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Peter Welch (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill aims to establish crucial occupational safety and health standards to protect farmworkers. It addresses the growing threats posed by increased wildfire seasons, toxic smoke, and rising temperatures, which have led to hazardous working conditions and heat-related fatalities among outdoor workers. Upon enactment, an initial standard will immediately require agricultural employers to implement protective measures. These include providing N95 or N100 respirators for wildfire smoke and ensuring access to water and cooling facilities for excessive heat, with mandatory use when conditions reach extremely dangerous levels. Employers must also offer comprehensive training and education materials in languages understood by farmworkers, covering proper equipment use and health impacts, and provide mandatory 10-minute rest breaks every two hours in shaded or less smoky areas during hazardous conditions. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Labor is mandated to begin promulgating a permanent occupational safety and health standard . This permanent standard must offer protections at least equivalent to the initial standard and no less protective than any existing state standards, while also detailing the health risks associated with smoke and heat exposure. The bill also encourages collaboration, requiring the Secretary to provide technical assistance and develop sample training materials, working with community organizations to reach all farmworkers, including those with language barriers.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2751
Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Aug 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4844
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2751
    Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • August 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4844
    Introduced in House

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4844: Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025

Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2571| Senate 
| Updated: 7/31/2025
This bill aims to establish crucial occupational safety and health standards to protect farmworkers. It addresses the growing threats posed by increased wildfire seasons, toxic smoke, and rising temperatures, which have led to hazardous working conditions and heat-related fatalities among outdoor workers. Upon enactment, an initial standard will immediately require agricultural employers to implement protective measures. These include providing N95 or N100 respirators for wildfire smoke and ensuring access to water and cooling facilities for excessive heat, with mandatory use when conditions reach extremely dangerous levels. Employers must also offer comprehensive training and education materials in languages understood by farmworkers, covering proper equipment use and health impacts, and provide mandatory 10-minute rest breaks every two hours in shaded or less smoky areas during hazardous conditions. Within 90 days of enactment, the Secretary of Labor is mandated to begin promulgating a permanent occupational safety and health standard . This permanent standard must offer protections at least equivalent to the initial standard and no less protective than any existing state standards, while also detailing the health risks associated with smoke and heat exposure. The bill also encourages collaboration, requiring the Secretary to provide technical assistance and develop sample training materials, working with community organizations to reach all farmworkers, including those with language barriers.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-2751
Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021
Jul 31, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jul 31, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Aug 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-4844
Introduced in House
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-2751
    Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2021


  • July 31, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 31, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • August 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-4844
    Introduced in House
Jeff Merkley

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (1)
Peter Welch (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • HR 119-4844: Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted