USA Free Recruitment 2017-18

Apple picking is an activity found  farms. Apple orchards may be opened to the public, allowing consumers to pick their own apples or purchase pre-picked apple

Although this is ultimately a method of purchasing apples, it is often a social activity as well. Apple picking is often a very popular  ritual in the . Apple orchards catering to a family outing will provide additional activities beyond the picking of apples. Many have   and country shops that sell related products such as home-made jams and jellies. This aspect of the activity is especially popular in thet s &  and  in

The apples that fall off the trees are often used to make apple cider. Apple cider is a juice made grinding the apples, then pressing out the juice.

Workers

Most fruit picking is done by  who can be paid relatively  In California, Mexican migrants are most frequently doing the work There has been much controversy about replacing workers with automation. It puts many out of work.

Automation

As labor costs are still quite expensive in fruit picking,  are being designed that for this kind of work. The research is still in full progress, especially as the robots need to be carefully designed so that they do not bruise the fruit while picki^] One solution is the use of suction grippers^[  Citrus fruit robot pickers have thus far been the focus of research and development, but cherry pickers are also being researched^[

Working conditions and workplace issues

For most agricultural workers, much work is outdoors and may involve extremes of weather. Crop harvesting may require bending and crouching. Because machinery and animals can cause injury, workers must take precautions and be alert. Although crop workers may risk exposure to pesticides, exposure can be minimal if appropriate safety precautions are followed.

Heat stress is a serious concern. Among US farmworkers involved with crops, the heat-related average death rate over a 15-year period was 0.39 per 100,000 workers. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended: "Agricultural employers should develop and implement heat stress management measures that include 1) training for field supervisors and employees to prevent, recognize, and treat heat illness, 2) implementing a heat acclimatization program, 3) encouraging proper hydration with proper amounts and types of fluids, 4) establishing work/rest schedules appropriate for the current heat indices, 5) ensuring access to shade or cooling areas, 6) monitoring the environment and workers during hot conditions, and 7) providing prompt medical attention to workers who show signs of heat illness. Potential health and safety issues that may be associated with farm work also include vehicle rollovers, falls, musculoskeletal injuries, hazardous equipment, grain bins, pesticides, unsanitary conditions, 

and respiratory disease among othersIn 1998-99, 468 individuals employed in agriculture were identified with acute occupational pesticide-related illness in six states participating in the SENSOR program (AZ, CA, FL, NY, OR, TX), which include states where large numbers of crop farmworkers are employed. This compared with 441 individuals employed in non-agricultural occupations who were identified with acute occupational pesticide-related illness in those state The US Environmental Protection Agency’s Worker Safety Program provides educational materials facilitating implementation of the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard established under federal regulation In 2009-2010, NAWS (the National Agricultural Workers Survey, conducted under the US Bureau of Labor Statistics) found that 84 percent of workers received training in safe use of pesticides within the past 12 months from their current employers.

NAWS found that "Almost all farm workers reported that their current farm employer made drinking water, toilets and washing water available on a daily basis. Of the small percentage of farm workers who reported not using the employer-provided toilets on a daily basis (3% in 1999-2000), three-fourths indicated that the bathroom was 'too far away' to use

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