Workers stay safe in hot weather

Now that the rain is over, maintenance crews can start work that might have been delayed, but now instead of heavy rain, they’ll have to deal with the intense heat.

Many crews can work at night, but sometimes workers have to be out during the hottest part of the day.

Workers said some of the hottest jobs have to be done in the hottest weather, especially asphalt work because the heat actually helps it cure.

While the heat can take its toll on the workers, they said they keep an eye on each other to make sure they’re not suffering from heat exhaustion.

They said the key to staying safe is cooling off in the shade when they start to feel weak.

“We get breaks whenever we want them, and we just make sure whenever we feel any kind of heat exertion that we let our supervisor know and he gives us the break and we make sure we drink plenty of fluids,” said Jason White, a MoDOT maintenance worker.

Although White said he doesn’t mind working in the heat because he gets breaks and enough fluids, he said he still prefers the winter work because it’s easier to put on more layers.