Across the country, July was one of the hottest months on record. People working outside were advised to be especially cautious but even with precautions sometimes it just gets to be too much. Unfortunately a farm worker in Bakersfield, CA, died last week and initially Cal/OSHA looked into the death to see if it may have been heat related and if there was anything that could have been done to prevent it.

Galdina Perez Alvarez was working in a vineyard on July 26^th when she became unresponsive and died shortly after. According to a coroner report she passed away because of natural causes- hemopericardium (blood around the heart) and an aortic dissection. The temperature registered at her place of work that day read 99 degrees, however her condition was not one that was exacerbated by heat.

The United Farm Workers Union is going to further investigate her death. They are hoping to spread awareness and prevent future workers from becoming ill or dying in extreme heat.

In a statement released by the Cal/OSHA Chief Juliann Sum, it was revealed that 742 employers have been cited so far this year for heat-related violations. With the dangerous heat experienced by the country recently it is more important than ever that employees and employers are aware of the risks and can take steps to prevent problems.

Cal/OSHA has a few resources that demonstrate how to identify heat illness symptoms and how to react to them, and how to prevent heal illness. They have partnered with the public awareness “Water. Rest. Shade.” Campaign, and have an online tool that gives employers in-depth information about things like weather monitoring practices, acclimatization techniques, clothing and protective equipment and emergency response procedures.