No matter the temperature or the conditions, construction crews say it's still a regular work day being out in the sun. Crews say it's an uphill battle to stay cool, hydrated, and safe.
14 News spoke to local hospitals, and they say a large percentage of patients they see for heat exhaustion are people that work outdoors. The hospitals say working with concrete and steel makes conditions worse.
Field Safety Coordinator for Deig Brothers Tom Redmon says, "We have at least one cooler at every job, depending on how many people. Usually one cooler will handle three guys, it's a five gallon water cooler."
Crews with Deig Brothers say water is something they're never without while on the job site. They're working on utility lines just across the street from the new downtown arena. A couple of other essentials are sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, and ice towels for workers to wear.
Across town, constructions crews are working on the Harrison High School football field. Crews say it's more than the heat that's working against them.
Project Superintendent for Weddle Brother Scott Coomer says, "You throw a metal deck in and the sun's reflecting off on it. We've guys that are actually pouring concrete, so you know that generates heat too."
Even through the hottest days of the year, Coomer says sometimes the biggest roadblock in staying safe is the workers themselves.
He says, "They are tough guys, and sometimes it's hard to get tough guys to take a break, so that's probably our biggest thing, is getting them to admit that hey, you need a little extra time."
Coomer says that's why workers' best resource in the heat, is each other, to make sure no one is pushing too hard.
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