Throughout the week, the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor recognizes the importance of keeping farmworkers safe and sharing important resources.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
The Wage and Hour Division enforces federal laws that protect the health and safety of agricultural workers while they are transported and housed, and while they are working in the fields. These laws include:
- The field sanitation standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which requires clean and cool drinking water, clean toilet facilities, handwashing facilities and breaks to use the bathroom and drink water as often as needed.
- Housing and transportation safety standards under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the H-2A visa program.
- Anti-retaliation provisions under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the H-2A visa program. Workers who complain or otherwise exercise their rights or participate in an investigation are protected from retaliation.
- Protections for some of the most vulnerable workers, including minors and labor trafficking victims.
To raise awareness of these essential worker protections, we urge you to consider sharing the following resources with stakeholders in the agriculture industry, from employers to farm labor contractors to farmworkers and their advocates.
- Farm Worker Rights Flyer
- Agricultural Transportation Safety
- Field Sanitation Protections for Agricultural Workers
- OSHA Field Sanitation for Agricultural Employers
- Transportation Safety Checklist
- Housing Safety and Health Checklist (ETA)
- Housing Safety and Health Checklist (OSHA)
- U and T Visa Certifications
For more information on farmworker safety and health rules and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, please visit our website.
