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The Breakdown: If you have to work in the heat, you should build tolerance slowly

It is recommended that new workers start slowly and gradually build up the amount of time they work outdoors in the extreme heat

NEW ORLEANS — In your Breakdown: we’re looking at your rights and best practices to follow this week if you’ll be working outside in forecasted record temperatures. 

The Louisiana Department of Health says by the end of July, 11 people in Louisiana had died as a result of the heat and more than 2500 people had ended up in the E-R for heat illnesses. https://ldh.la.gov/page/heat

LDH has a program to combat this. It recommends employers provide cool water and rest breaks in a shady or cool place. New or returning employees should be trained and given the chance to gradually get used to working in extreme heat. And all employees should know the signs of heat illness. LDH even lays out a schedule for acclimating to severe heat.

 https://ldh.la.gov/assets/docs/lah/Working_In_Extreme_Heat_Factsheet.pdf 

But Louisiana is one of only a few states, according to our partners at NOLA.com, where heat protections are suggestion rather than law. 

Federal law requires employers to provide hazard-free work zones, but doesn’t specify heat as a hazard. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/oshact/section5-duties 

That could change under a proposed U.S. Department of Labor law that would require employers to create a heat safety plan, and require water and rest breaks. https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20240702 

For now, Louisiana works should stick to best practices: know the signs of heat stroke, stay hydrated, wear loose, light-colored clothing, and wear a brimmed hat.

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