Outdoor workers want Miami-Dade County to pass heat protections
MIAMI - In front of the Miami-Dade Government Center, dozens of people who work outdoors begged county commissioners to grant them breaks in the shade and water while on the job.
"We beg (Miami Dade County) commissioners to please listen to us," said Sandra Asencio. She said she has not faced such unbearable heat in the 15 years she has worked in nurseries.
"Every year, 34 lives are lost in Miami-Dade to extreme heat," added Oscar Londono, president of WeCount, an organization of agricultural, domestic and construction workers in South Florida. "We're on a deadly heat wave and right now the county commissioners are in a meeting and "Que Calor," – how hot- isn't on the agenda.
"Most occupational safety is regulated at the federal level," said Jane Gilbert, who is the Chief Heat Officer for Miami-Dade County in response to the requests of the workers.
She spoke to CBS News Miami on behalf of Mayor Levine Cava saying there is no local government that protects labor law but according to Gilbert Miami-Dade has been holding discussions with We Count and is seeking a solution.
"So, we've reached out to the commissioners who have raised interest, we want to work with them on creating a policy that will work in Miami-Dade," said Gilbert.
These are some of the proposed protections We Count "Que Calor Campaign" includes:
- A 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 heat index of 90+ degrees, a right to 10 minutes of paid rest and water breaks every 2 hours to cool down under shade to avoid heat stroke.
- A new county Office of Workplace Health and Safety to help enforce labor protections and support employers and workers with implementing heat safety protocols that can prevent heat-related illness and save lives.
Doctor Lilly Ostrer explained what occurred to someone's body exposed to extreme heat, "When temperatures start rising to extreme heat like 110 degrees, without drinking water, getting out of the sun, our organs like our brain and our heart can't survive those higher temperatures, the person is prone to have seizures and other symptoms of heat stroke."