Heat doesn't stop outdoor workers

When it comes to the heat, Dale Todt watches the little orange flags. When they stop moving, he knows he's in trouble.

"That means there's no air at all," said Todt, who was working to find utility lines along Mount Auburn Road in the 90-plus heat Thursday. "Today there's been a little bit of a breeze. It's been a hot breeze, but it's better than no breeze at all."

Todt and many others aren't air-conditioned office workers. They are among the many who work outside, regardless of how hot it gets. And during the last week or so -- when 90 has been the norm -- it's been a struggle.

Temperatures in the afternoon hit 94 -- and felt like more than 100, according to the heat index. But those who work outdoors say the work doesn't stop when the thermometer climbs.

Hundreds of people die each year across the country from heat-related causes. Employers say they take every precaution to make sure their workers don't become a statistic.

Harry Snider, the safety officer for Fru-Con Construction Corp. in Fruitland, said training sessions are held in May to educate workers about the danger of working in the heat.

"They're aware of the signs and symptoms before the onset of summer," Snyder said.

Then the company makes sure workers have plenty of water and take many breaks, and keep fans on warehouse workers.

Ed Thompson with Denali Construction in Cape Girardeau said they've been starting early for the past two weeks, sometimes as early as 5 a.m., so they can be done before the afternoon heat peaks.

"By 1 or 2 in the afternoon, they're toast," Thompson said. "So we try to beat the heat."

City workers were also out in force Thursday, from doing concrete work to picking up solid waste.

"You can't just shut down," said Steve Cook, assistant director of the Cape Girardeau Public Works Department. "We just try to make sure they're not getting too hot. We give them Gatorade and tell them to watch out for each other. There's not a whole lot you can do. It's tough."

-- Scott Moyers