http://www.centralvalleybusinesstimes.com/stories/001/?ID=9286

Senator launches Delano heat death inquiry

State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, wants details about the death of a farm workers from apparent heat illness on Wednesday.

Mr. Florez is asking the president of the farm where the victim, Abdon Felix, worked for a firsthand account of company practices and training .

Mr. Felix died after working in 108-degree weather.

Under current workplace heat regulations, employers are required to provide outdoor workers with access to at least a quart of fresh water per hour and a shaded area where they can take five minute rest and recovery breaks when they are experiencing symptoms of heat illness. All employees and supervisors must also be trained in heat-illness prevention.

In a letter Friday to Sunview Vineyards of California president Marko Zaninovich, Mr. Florez asks that Mr. Zaninovich describe his “company’s efforts to meet the spirit and requirements set forth” in the workplace heat regulations.

“It is imperative that the members of the Legislature perform oversight into tragic incidents, such as Mr. Felix’s death, so that we are confident that farm laborers are provided basic protections required by law,” says Mr. Florez.