By Clint Thompson
Specialty crop producers and farming operations should be prepared for strict heat regulations that loom on the horizon, according to Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.
Butts stresses the importance of producers having plans in place for how to prevent heat illness and how to treat it. They would be better prepared if visited by an inspector.
“I think the good news is our folks are used to the heat. They know how to work in the heat, and they know how to work around the heat. When it gets hot, our growers are starting earlier or even working at night, which has its own risks associated with it from a safety standpoint,” Butts said. “Our growers are already doing steps, and we encourage them to go ahead and have a written plan and a response plan in case there is a heat event on their farm. We think they already know how to do that. We’ve just got to make sure the regulations are common sense and don’t stifle industry to the point it also puts people out of business.”
New regulations from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration could be implemented anytime soon.
“I’ve heard everything from 2024 to 2025 and 2026. In my mind, when we start hearing this much chatter about it, normally something follows. When there’s smoke, there’s fire,” Butts said. “We’re expecting it. We are already advising growers to develop plans and put those plans in place on their farms so that when regulations are put into place, our guys are already prepared and one step ahead.”