…Scientists say there are more modern metrics that can measure the wind speed and direct sunlight at any given place that would be even more meaningful to assess risks of outdoor activity during periods of extreme heat….

The death of Gónzalez Mendoza, a husband and father of two sons, prompted migrant workers to gather in Raleigh last year to advocate for more protections from extreme heat in agricultural fields and other workplaces.

The workers and their advocates pointed out that most heat-related problems are preventable, especially when employers implement workplace standards to guard against the extreme temperatures that are becoming more common because of climate change…

In the absence of clear federal, state and local law, some municipalities have reacted to calls for change by adopting their own standards for outdoor work and temperature-related restrictions…

The department encouraged the farm to create and implement emergency response procedures to respond to medical emergencies in a more timely manner.

That would include having medical supplies on site, and training workers in how to call emergency dispatchers and when.

The department also suggests developing an acclimatization program for new employees so they are not hired one day and sent out to sweltering fields the next without access to water and other necessities to help them cool down….