The start of another scorching summer has prompted the Tulare County Farm Bureau to schedule a heat illness prevention seminar for agricultural workers on June 12.

The free meeting will review new regulations that require heat stress training, written documentation and an emergency response plan for heat stress prevention and treatment.

Workshops conducted in English and Spanish will cover heat illness prevention steps, treatment procedures and other safety information. Employers and workers from outdoor industries not related to agriculture are also invited.

"There's a lot of simple things that we take for granted," said Ryan Bertao, Kings County Farm Bureau executive director.

Bertao said the Kings County Farm Bureau is encouraging Kings County growers to participate.

Simple steps such as sufficient water, proper rest breaks, appropriate clothing and smaller meals can go a long way, according to Bertao.

The meeting comes on the eve of a summer forecasted to be hotter than normal, despite today's expected cooling.

Last July, a blazing 10-day stretch of highs over 110 degrees and soaring humidity killed farmworkers, elderly Valley residents and thousands of farm animals.

Overheated residents in Kings County were invited to take refuge in a series of "cooling centers" established by the county's Office of Emergency Services.

"We've had some heat spells in the summer before that were bad ... but they didn't have this kind of humidity," said David Spector, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

Spector said there's less chance of high mid-summer humidity this year because drought has left little moisture in the ground. Last year's near-record snowpack contributed to humid conditions, which kept nighttime temperatures higher than usual during the July heat wave.

Insufficient nighttime cooling was a factor in the deaths of thousands of cows, chickens and turkeys in Kings County, according to Joe Neves, Kings County supervisor.

All agricultural field supervisors, as well as employers in other outdoor fields, are encouraged to attend the June 12 meeting. Informational handouts and certificates of participation will be provided to document safety and health training.

The reporter can be reached at 582-0471, ext. 3061.

(June 5, 2007)