News

Secure your pass at a discounted rate for Western Growers’ 98th Annual Meeting when you register before August 30, 2024. Act fast to take advantage of early bird registration! You won’t want to miss this year’s event at the luxurious JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Spa! Join key decision-makers from Western Growers member companies as … Read More

July 11, 2024 The Lake Fire in the Santa Ynez Valley has devastated over 30,000 acres as of Thursday, with containment at only 16%. This serves as a critical reminder for employers about the Cal/OSHA permanent regulation on worker protection from wildfire smoke, effective since February 1, 2021. This regulation is crucial for ensuring the … Read More

Agreement Between Business, Community and Labor Groups Will Create a Better, Fairer System for Workers and Employers Sacramento – Today, July 1, 2024, the Fix PAGA coalition, representing non-profits, social justice advocates, family farmers, health care providers and businesses, applauded Governor Newsom and legislators for enacting historic reform to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Governor Newsom … Read More

California’s SB 553i requires all employers – with few exceptions – to create and implement a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). As a reminder, the statute’s effective date of July 1, 2024, is just around the corner.     Effective July 1st employers must have in place:   As discussed here, to assist employers in establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective WVPP, the … Read More

In response to concerns raised by Western Growers and industry partners, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has issued a revised Supplemental Notice to H-2A Employees, which addresses most of industry’s concerns. As reported here, the agricultural coalition sent a letter to DIR objecting to several aspects of the notice, which misstated the law. The effective date … Read More

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is reminding all employers to protect workers from heat illness as high temperatures are forecast in the coming days. Some of the highest temperatures include: Employers in California are required to protect outdoor workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade and training and must … Read More

Join Western Growers Science, in partnership with the UC Davis Postharvest Research and Extension Center, on May 28 – 29, in Salinas, Calif. for the Agricultural Water Systems – Identifying, Preventing, and Managing Food Safety Risks workshop. The workshop will delve into a range of topics related to water management and safety. Experts will explore … Read More

In the realm of commercial driving, telematics continues to emerge as a vital tool for enhancing safety on our roads. However, it’s crucial to recognize that while telematics offers valuable insights into driver behavior and vehicle performance, it alone cannot transform driver habits. A holistic approach as part of a comprehensive fleet safety program is … Read More