Contacts: Ira Cuello-Martinez, PCUN iracuello@pcun.org, (503) 851-5774 Kate Suisman, Northwest Justice Workers Project kate@nwjp.org, 503-765-7105 Jamie Pang, Oregon Environmental Council, JamieP@OECOnline.org, (971) 353-7963 Oregon OSHA’s Emergency Heat Rules Are a Good Start to Protecting At-Risk Workers; Strong Enforcement Will be Necessary SALEM, Ore— Oregon OSHA today issued emergency rules protecting workers from climate-fueled excessive heat, following an extensive campaign by workers’ rights, environmental, and public health advocates. Governor Kate Brown directed the agency to adopt emergency rules following the tragic and preventable death of 38-year-old farmworker, Sebastian Francisco Perez. Perez died while working on a tree farm in St. Paul, Oregon during the height of last week’s heatwave. Oregon OSHA is in the process of drafting permanent rules to protect workers from exposure to both excessive heat and wildfire smoke, expected to be finalized this fall. Given the unprecedented extreme temperatures and grim forecasts of another devastating wildfire season, advocacy groups have pressed Oregon OSHA to adopt emergency rules to protect workers from climate hazards this summer. The tragic death of Perez makes it clearer than ever: protections for workers simply cannot wait.