No water, no shade. Life as a roofer in the sweltering Florida heat: ‘It feels like 120F’

Workers struggle with dehydration, fatigue dizziness and headaches - but state laws have stripped their protections

Every day, Raquel Atlahua begins her work as a roofer bracing for the blistering sun.

On the roof, there is no escape from the direct light and heat, and the temperatures in Florida quickly climb as the day progresses. The high humidity and lack of shade make it feel even hotter, and even more difficult to cool down.

This is the first of three stories about the US workers who are struggling to survive a summer of extreme heat that shattered records from coast to coast. Parts two and three coming soon.