MIAMI — In South Florida hundreds of workers are exposed to extreme heat, according to WeCount – a worker’s center led by people who work outdoors.

“This is hot, hot… very hot,” said a landscaper who goes by Mr. Knox, referring to working over eight hours a day under the heat advisory weather conditions in South Florida.

“Without the breaks, staying in the sun too much and not hydrating, you pretty much can have a heat stroke,” he added.

Echoing him are agriculture workers, car washers, and roofers – just some of the men working outdoors on the Fourth of July holiday. 

“I think every company or employer should provide us with those protections,” Victor Perez said while doing roof work in Homestead. 

In Florida, complying with the protections is suggested, but not mandatory. This week, the Biden Administration, through the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) released a proposed rule that would require employers of workers exposed to extreme heat, to provide shade, and water, and establish rest breaks when they face high temperatures. 

This is coming after years of WeCount leading our “Que Calor” campaign. The name of the campaign means “How hot!”  The organization led a campaign to approve an ordinance in Miami-Dade County providing protection for outdoor workers.  In April, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB433, a bill against all those measures which on July 1 became law. 

“I hope they can bring back those protections which are more like rights,” Perez said.

“And these are workers who are being exposed to triple-digit temperatures this summer, historic heat,” said Londoño. 

CBS News Miami’s Ivan Taylor asked WeCount how workers could benefit from the rule announced by the Federal Government. 

“In South Florida, there are more than 300,000 outdoor workers,” replied the Executive Director of WeCount. 

The rule by the Biden administration would include people who work indoors but are exposed to heat. 

The measure is not final. Now it will have to go through several months of public comments.  Organizations like WeCount hope that for the sake of workers, that happens before the end of the year.  If the rule is approved, it would apply to 36 million workers outdoors and indoor who are exposed to heat nationwide, according to OSHA.  

MIAMI – A heat advisory Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe, which was supposed to end at 8 p.m. Thursday, has been extended to 8 p.m. Friday.    

Afternoon temperatures will be in the low 90s. However, combined with the humidity, the heat indices could reach up to 110 degrees on Thursday and Friday. 

A heat advisory is issued by the National Weather Service when a heat index of 105 degrees or higher is expected for at least two hours in Miami-Dade. That is below Broward and the Florida Key’s heat index of 107 degrees for two hours.

Overnight temperatures will offer little relief. Lows will struggle to make it out of the 80s near the coast and the “feels like” temp will remain above 90 degrees for much of the night, according to the National Weather Service.

People are urged to drink plenty of fluids, but avoid those that contain caffeine, high sugar content, and alcohol. Stay in an air-conditioned room, limit the time you work or spend time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Wear clothing that is lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting. If you’re outside, wear a hat and sunscreen to protect your face and scalp from harmful UV rays.

If you must be outdoors, slow down, take breaks in a shaded or cool area, and drink cool fluids every hour.

If you feel lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.

For dog owners wanting to take their four-legged friends for a walk, it’s important to remember the seven-second rule. Place your hand on the concrete for seven seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet too.