Miami-Dade outdoor workers win first round in heat shield pass

MIAMI – People who work outdoors in Miami-Dade have overcome another hurdle to county approval of protective equipment, including shade and water breaks while working.

On Tuesday, the commission unanimously adopted the “Decree of Que Calor”. However, that’s not all. The ruling is due for a second hearing and vote, possibly in September.

The request for a “Que Calor Ordinance” before the commission was made by WeCount, an organization of agricultural, domestic and construction workers in South Florida.

While much of work safety is regulated at the federal level, Daniella County Mayor Levin Kawa and the county administration have held discussions with We Count representatives to find solutions.

Here are some of the proposed remedies that we consider the “Que Calor Campaign” including:

• Heat Exposure Safety Program to educate workers and their supervisors about the risks of heat exposure and the best ways to minimize heat-related illness.
• On days with a temperature index of 90+ degrees, the right to 10 minutes of paid rest and breaks in the water every 2 hours to cool in the shade to avoid heat stroke.
• A new District Office of Health and Workplace Safety to help ensure workplace safety compliance and support employers and workers to implement heat safety protocols that can prevent heat-related illness and save lives.

Working in hot weather for extended periods of time with water and shade breaks can be hazardous.

“When the temperature starts to rise to extreme high temperatures like 110 degrees, no drinking water, no sun exposure, our organs like our brain and our heart can’t handle these higher temperatures, the person is prone to seizures and other symptoms. heat. stroke,” said Dr. Lilly Ostrer.