Road construction continues along River Drive in downtown Davenport as crews continue to experience weeks and weeks of hot temperatures.
“It does get bad,” said Doug Chalupa, a construction worker. “When there isn’t much breeze it’s bad.”
He can also attest to the sticky, constricting feeling clothing can give when working under these conditions.
“You’ve got to wear your hard hats and all that stuff,” he said. “Even the safety vest makes it a little more warm.”
Local roofers know a thing or two about it as well.
“Just short-sleeve shirts and that’s it,” said Ricky Russell, a roofer. “Usually, I’m not wearing a shirt.”
Besides dressing for the heat, the number one rule of thumb, of course, is to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
“It’s hot,” said Russell.
The crew replacing the roof relies on a steady supply of water and Gatorade.
The shade helps, too.
Project Manager, Jake Holden, says he had two guys pass out on the job from heat exhaustion.
Both road construction crews and the roofers take plenty of breaks.
On a hot day, the road workers take half-a-dozen and the roofers take them as needed.
“They get hot and they sit down,” said Holden. “It’s better than having them fall down.”
Signs of heat exhaustion include:
-confusion
-nauseau
-dizziness
You can treat yourself by getting inside where there’s air conditioning. It’s also important to avoid caffeinated beverages and if your symptoms don’t go away after 30 minutes, seek medical help because heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke.
