OPINION READER’S FORUM
Founded in 1906
WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021
A4
OUR VIEW
Move to protect workers during heat wave vital
he move by the state last
week to protect workers
as they toil outside in the
unprecedented heat wave was a good
one and makes sense.
The new emergency workplace
rules were adopted Thursday by the
Oregon Occupational Safety and
Health Division — or OSHA — after
Gov. Kate Brown ordered the move.
The new rules come after a farm-
worker died in Western Oregon in
late June as temperatures climbed
above 100 degrees. The rule is tem-
porary and will remain in place for
180 days.
While OSHA already has some
rules in place to provide water and
shade to workers, the new temporary
rules will add another layer of protec-
tion for those who must work during
the brutal heat wave. The new rules
also break down what employers
must do to safeguard workers as the
outside temperature climbs.
For example, when the tempera-
ture rises above 80 degrees, employ-
ers are required to furnish each
T
Ben Lonergan/Hermiston Herald
Workers harvest melons near Hermiston on the morning of Tuesday, July 13, 2021. On July 15,
the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division implemented a new set of emergency
workplace rules in response to the heat wave.
worker with 32 ounces of water per
hour. The water also must be free
and accessible to employees and
they must have the required amount
of time to drink the cold stuff . If the
outside temperature goes above 80
degrees, employers must furnish
shaded space for workers so they can
get out of the sun during a break.
These rules are necessary now
EDUCATION CORNER
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Summer is the perfect time to practice
ractice is key to mastery,
and this is for sure true
when it comes to young
readers. Students who read during
the summer have often maintained
or even improved their reading
skills. It also helps students when
they return in the fall because they
are better prepared. Summer read-
ing doesn’t always have to be
from books, and
we have an oppor-
tunity to impress
the importance
of reading on our
children and teach
them how to gain
enjoyment from
Scott
reading.
Smith
During the
summer, it is also a great time to
check out the local library. They
often off er summer reading pro-
grams for children. It is very grat-
ifying for the kids to choose their
books to check out to take home.
However, we as adults have to
remember that it is OK for them
to choose a book that might be
too hard or even too simple. The
objective is to use this time as a
learning opportunity and practice
discovery in a safe environment.
Pictures can teach us a lot, so
don’t stress if they choose a book
P
more than ever, especially in Eastern
Oregon. Here outside farmworkers
are the backbone of the agriculture
industry. In many areas of the state,
crops simply will not be harvested
without a corps of employees who
can move into the fi elds and work.
That necessity, though, doesn’t trans-
late to ignoring basic safety mea-
sures, and that is why the new rules
are so important. Without them the
common goal of safety can be unin-
tentionally pushed into the backseat
as the deadline to bring in crops hov-
ers over the horizon.
The heat is impacting all of us,
everywhere. That is why utiliz-
ing basic safety measures — stay-
ing hydrated and out of the hot rays
of the sun — need to be reinforced
as much as possible. It doesn’t take
much to suff er a heat injury and the
consequences can be serious. The
new rules are important and show
that while our economy is import-
ant, so are the lives of the people we
depend on to make our state a great
place to live.
with many images or one that is
way too easy. Again, this is an
opportunity to discover and learn
on their own.
A few things you might con-
sider as you move into the sum-
mer with kids being home.
Lead by example: Point out
throughout the day things you
read: titles, calendars, messages
on your phone.
Read everything everywhere:
Read signs, ads, menus, and things
around the house. Challenge kids
to fi nd objects and read titles.
Check out the library:
Weekly trips to the library are an
excellent activity fi lling time and
providing many materials to read.
When you read something
aloud, or they read something,
ask questions. Then, take their
understanding to the next level by
explaining what you read or what
they read.
Journaling: Keeping a sum-
mer journal is a great way to rein-
force not only writing but read-
ing. Have the kids read what
they wrote from previous days.
Not only does this reinforce their
reading skills but also their writ-
ing skills. They will learn to rec-
ognize grammar errors and make
changes quickly.
Another great activity for sum-
mer reading is to have kids read a
book and then have them retell the
story using just the pictures from
the story, allowing children to gain
a greater understanding of what
they have read and build their
comprehension. You can also read
a story to them and have them cre-
ate pictures for the story. Using
their images, have them retell the
story.
Summer is a time for practice.
Kids like looking at word DNA
(Spelling). First, have them locate
open one-syllable words (the
vowel is long: me, go, be). Then
fi nd closed, one-syllable words
(the vowel is short: man, run, sit).
Next, locate one-syllable words
with a vowel team (the fi rst vowel
is long: team, rain, boat). Next,
move on to “r” controlled words
(for, fi rst, are). Then move to fi nd
silent e words (same, ripe, robe).
Working on this word hunt DNA
activity will help with their spell-
ing and their ability to decode
words while they are reading.
———
Scott Smith is a 40-plus year
Umatilla County educator and
serves on the Decoding Dyslexia
Oregon board as its parent/teacher
liaison.
Service to others is what makes us human
It’s raw animal instinct to protect the self fi rst. By preserving
the self — survival of the fi ttest — a being preserves its species by
allowing the traits most suited to survival to be passed onto future
generations.
What sets human beings apart from other animal life is the God-
given power (all too rarely utilized, these days) to set that instinct
aside and serve others ahead of ourselves. A true steward of the
Earth — as we’re all made to be — puts his needs and everyone’s
desires last and instead tends primarily to the needs of all around
him. This is what defi nes humanity, and the epitome of humanity
can be found daily in our rescue workers, fi remen, policemen, doc-
tors, nurses, teachers, pastors and parents. Those who are in it for the
right reasons have put the needs of the greater community ahead of
the instinct to be “the fi ttest.”
Most blessed are those who fi ght for the rights of the least able,
the defenseless, the voiceless — particularly when there’s nothing
in it for them. Primarily, I’m thinking of pro-life activists and sup-
porters here. So be sure to thank those people you see sacrifi cing
their time and energy and instinct to protect the greater good, espe-
cially when they have nothing personal to gain for it. They are our
role models.
Mark Elfering
Hermiston
Longtime resident appreciates Funland park eff ort
Many, many thanks to Larry Fetter (director of Hermiston Parks
and Recreation) and his staff for the marvelous job they did in
building Funland Playground. This engineering marvel required
exceptional skills and patience in putting together this huge jigsaw
puzzle.
Thank you to our community in supporting this wonderful eff ort.
This playground will be the envy of the Northwest. Our children
will enjoy it for many years to come.
Dave Faux
Hermiston
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. SENATORS
U.S. PRESIDENT
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Offi ce Bldg.,
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244; La Grande offi ce: 541-962-7691
Joe Biden
The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
NW, Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
Bobby Levy, District 58
900 Court St. NE, H-376, Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1458
Rep.BobbyLevy@state.or.us
Kate Brown
160 State Capitol, 900 Court St.
Salem, OR 97301-4047
503-378-4582
Printed on
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VOLUME 114 • NUMBER 27
Andrew Cutler | Publisher • acutler@eomediagroup.com • 541-278-2673
Kelly Schwirse | Multi-Media consultant • kschwirse@hermistonherald.com • 541-564-4531
Audra Workman | Multi-Media consultant • aworkman@eastoregonian.com • 541-564-4538
Tammy Malgesini | Community Editor • community@eastoregonian.com, 541-564-4532
Periodical postage paid at Hermiston, OR.
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Hermiston Herald, 333 E. Main St.,
Hermiston, OR 97838.
Member of EO Media Group Copyright ©2020
SENATOR
Greg Smith, District 57
900 Court St. NE, H-482, Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1457
Rep.GregSmith@state.or.us
CORRECTIONS
The Hermiston Herald (USPS 242220, ISSN
8750-4782) is published weekly at Hermiston
Herald, 333 E. Main St., Hermiston, OR 97838,
(541) 567-6457.
Cliff Bentz
2185 Rayburn House Offi ce Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6730; Medford offi ce: 541-776-4646
REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR
To contact the Hermiston Herald for news,
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• call 541-567-6457
• e-mail info@hermistonherald.com
• stop by our offi ces at 333 E. Main St.
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U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Jeff Merkley
313 Hart Senate Offi ce Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3753; Pendleton offi ce: 541-278-1129
It is the policy of the Hermiston Herald to correct errors as
soon as they are discovered. Incorrect information will be
corrected on Page 2A. Errors commited on the Opinion page
will be corrected on that page. Corrections also are noted in
the online versions of our stories.
Please contact the editor at editor@hermistonherald.com or
call (541) 564-4533 with issues about this policy or to report
errors.
SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters Policy: Letters to the Editor is a forum for the
Hermiston Herald readers to express themselves on local,
state, national or world issues. Brevity is good, but longer
letters should be kept to 250 words.
No personal attacks; challenge the opinion, not the person.
The Hermiston Herald reserves the right to edit letters for
length and for content.
Bill Hansell, District 29
900 Court St. NE, S-415, Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1729
Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us
Letters must be original and signed by the writer or writers.
Anonymous letters will not be printed. Writers should include
a telephone number so they can be reached for questions.
Only the letter writer’s name and city of residence will be
published.
OBITUARY POLICY
The Hermiston Herald publishes paid obituaries. The
obituary can include small photos and, for veterans, a
fl ag symbol at no charge. Expanded death notices will be
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Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at
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