Death under the sun (Another farm fatality underlines risks)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/1080315.html

Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, July 14, 2008
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B4

The heat and smoke have been so oppressive in the past week that day care operators have kept kids inside; athletes have curtailed outdoor practice; restaurants have closed their patio seating. But farmworkers, highway construction crews, firefighters and others whose jobs force them outside cannot avoid the heat or the smoke.

California's Occupational Safety and Health Agency is investigating the third case of a possible heat- related farmworker death in the past two months. Abdon Felix had just finished loading grapes in 108-degree temperatures and was driving the fruit to a cold-storage facility in Delano when he collapsed. When he died a few hours later, his core body temperature was 108 degrees.

Felix's death shines a spotlight once again on the special dangers that farmworkers face. Often they are paid on a piece-rate basis, a compensation method that values speed, a factor that Felix's brother believes contributed to his death. "The more work they do, the more money they make," he told The Bee. "But I think these conditions are not appropriate."

State inspectors monitor work sites, but there are not nearly enough to protect the millions laboring outside in scorching heat last week.

If you can avoid working outside, do so. If you can't, Cal-OSHA has tips for how to protect yourself from heat- related illnesses.

First, recognize symptoms. Excessive sweating or suddenly stopping sweating, poor concentration, muscle pain and dizziness are all signs of heat stress.

FULL story at link.