OUTDOOR WORKERS FIND WAYS TO COPE WITH HEAT

Letter carrier Linda Essner said she tries to find shade to park in while sorting mail before delivering it. (DON SHRUBSHELL)

Summary:

Heat indexes of 100 degrees or more require that people slow down and drink plenty of liquids.

The 90-degree-plus temperatures are causing some workers to look for new ways to beat the heat.

Temperatures above 90 degrees cause the body to work harder, but when the amount of moisture in the air rises the body endures even more stress, said meteorologist David Humphrey of the National Weather Service. It is the combination of heat and humidity that makes people suffer more, he said.

"The heat index is the measure of the affects of the amount of moisture in the air in combination with the actual air temperature," he said. "The combination of heat and humidity is the best reading for how hot it actually feels to the body."

Humphrey said people suffer just as much in regions with higher temperatures and low humidity as they do in areas that have lower temperatures and higher humidity.

"You definitely need to be worried about the temperature," he said. "It's the same effect if it's an actual air temperature of 103 degrees or if it's a heat index of 103 degrees."

Many people with both indoor and outdoor jobs are taking extra precautions to stay cool. Water and electrolyte restorers like Gatorade are the drinks of choice, and many employers allow adjusted work schedules and extra breaks to provide relief.

Quent Kasten, plant supervisor of Kasten Masonry Sales in Jackson, said he takes extra precautions when the heat index shoots up. Employees sometimes endure heat indexes of up to 115 degrees on the warmest days, he said, so precautions are necessary.

To cool things off, Kasten supplies Gatorade, posts warning signs for heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and even cuts down work hours, if necessary. "A lot of our permanent work stations have water-cooled air from the outside blown in on them," Kasten said. "When the outside temperature gets around 90 and the heat index gets up, we take extra precautions."

Postal worker Linda Essner spends about six hours each day outside. She carries liquids in her vehicle, but said parking in shade helps her as much as any other remedy.

"I drink plenty of water and park in the shade," she said. "It's still hot, but parking in the shade makes a big difference when I get back in the truck."

Donna White, an employee at Ken's Cape Cleaners, said employees there concentrate on finishing their work as quickly as possible. Drinks and fans are allowed at the stations, and employees get 15-minute breaks, she said.

"We just do the best we can and get our work done," she said. "If they get everything done they can leave early."

Tim Jokerst, a laborer for Jokerst Paving and Construction Co. of Ste. Genevieve, said he has worked outside for 17 years and quit worrying about the heat a long time ago.

"After it gets up to 90, I don't worry about it because it's hot," he said. "After it gets that hot, I really just take my time and don't rush anybody. You don't want to push them in that heat."

Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 90s through Wednesday, with heat indexes reaching 95 to 100. Thursday will see a drop in temperatures into the upper 80s and very little humidity. Temperatures Friday and Saturday are expected to be in the low- to mid-90s, with heat indexes in the same range.

Heat stroke mainly hits elderly people. It is a serious condition that occurs when the body retains a temperature in excess of 106 degrees and the victim becomes hot, dry and red-faced. Symptoms are excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin. It can be remedied by drinking cool fluids and resting in a cool, shady place.

Suggestions for staying cool:

-- If you have to be in the sun, take breaks in the shade.

-- Drink plenty of fluids.

-- Wear large-brimmed hats and caps, loose and light-colored clothing.

-- Check on family members and the elderly to make sure they have fans or air conditioning.

-- Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle.