THESE JOBS ARE `HOT,' BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN DEMAND

Scorching heat is uncomfortable but unfortunately part of the job for people who work outdoors.

Most of the area's construction, roofing, asphalt, and landscaping crews began work early to avoid this week's hot weather.

As the temperatures rose to near 100 degrees, workers took more breaks and savored their time in the shade.

With the doors and windows open and fans blowing full blast, the work area at Ken's Cape Cleaners still reached 110 degrees Thursday.

The building doesn't have air-conditioning, and employees wouldn't feel much difference if it did, Tammy Keller said.

By 8 a.m. Friday, the temperature inside was already 102 degrees. Each employee does have a fan at their work station to provide some relief from the heat.

On Tuesday, when the Cape Girardeau Fire Department responded to a call at 115 N. Fountain, firefighters worked in 20-minute shifts, said inspector and safety officer Michael Morgan.

Before entering the building, firefighters put on gear that is the equivalent to wearing three layers of clothing, Morgan said. Once inside, temperatures can range from 300 to 500 degrees.

"We monitor them to make sure there is no heat exhaustion," he said. "We were able to rotate and stay fresh."

Rotating crews is not an option for many other outdoor workers.

In Scott City, members of a Cotton Belt Railroad crew took a much-deserved break Wednesday afternoon after temperatures rose to 95.

With about 300 feet of new railroad track to lay, the crew started work at 6 a.m. to beat the heat.

"We take as many breaks as we need to," said Casey Durham.

Foreman Jim Chastain said the temperature on the track is about 30 degrees warmer than the outside temperatures.

But the crew didn't complain too much because co-workers in the New Madrid and Malden areas were laying steel -- an even hotter job.

An asphalt crew faced a hot job Friday at the La Croix United Methodist Church, where they were paving the parking area. Apex Asphalt of Sikeston began work at 6:30 a.m. to avoid the scorching heat.

"The asphalt is 325 degrees, and, coupled with the humidity and heat, it's easy to get hot," said foreman David Jordan.

Since the beginning of the week, four employees already had been treated for heat exhaustion, he said.

But the crew members take plenty of breaks. In fact, the 12 employees drank 30 gallons of water in one day.

Bridge workers along Route K also started pouring concrete earlier to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Since concrete heats as it cures, the temperatures on the site gradually increase throughout the day.

Patrick Dolan, project manager for the St. Louis Bridge Co., said a few employees do have trouble with the heat.

"That's what this work is all about," he said. "You get well-conditioned and used to working outdoors, but in temperatures like this it's hard to get used to."

He said the crews will modify operations a bit to account for the heat. "It's been a long week and a hot week," he said.

The heat was also a factor for roofing crews this week. Many began early in the morning and quit by mid-afternoon.

Temperatures were warmer on the rooftops, but crew members at the Cape Girardeau Central High School didn't know exactly how warm.

"I've never put a thermometer on it," Drury Company Foreman Keith Cummins said. "But you can't touch the rubber without gloves anyway."

The crew is applying a rubber roof to the building. Work began Monday and is expected to last another two weeks.

There are advantages to working outside.

"You get a good suntan or burned -- that's about it," said Rex Crosnoe, who's working this summer as a groundskeeper for the Cape Girardeau Public Schools.

Even mechanics were busier than usual because of an increase in overheating vehicles. The AAA Auto Club of Missouri said there was a 14 percent increase in emergency roadside service calls during the week.