PinOakEO Loc: NA

I am amazed to see workers in 100% weather, outside. Trash collectors, construction, postal workers.

Charlie'smom

We live in the desert of SoCal. It’s regularly above 115 for a couple of months in the summer. Nobody stays home because of the heat. Ever. And we have landscapers in our community working 6 days a week from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m.

I melt just looking at them.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

even we are having a heatwave (Parts of the UK) its never stopped people working - just slows them down a little. Don't expect employers to allow 'siesta' time. I used to hate hot summers days, because in the evening the walls of the kitchens released all the stored up heat from the day. More people would eat out and cooking over hot stoves was the last place I wanted to be...little things caused ructions....you had to really try to keep the lid on stress. Cycling home in the cool night air was my favourite part of 'summer'. I loved being a chef in winter though....nice and warm....
Have fun in the sun

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

When I moved to New England, we would get maybe 3 days a year over 90. The last few years have featured something like 30 days over 90 and a few over 100. (note: data are from memory, not from documented measurements and my memory does have documentable failures now).

I worked in that until last year when I retired. During the hot days I would drink 3 gallons of water and still lose 5 pounds. You learn how to deal with it, water breaks, shade breaks, and, of course, hiring younger people.

It's all in the humidity. I went to Albuquerque one year in August. They had to heat the swimming pools because at 5% humidity, evaporation would have cooled the water below 50F (in 105F air temperature).

SteveR Loc: Michigan

In 1980 I cleaned swimming pools while in grad school. That summer we had 67 days of 100 degree weather, a few 112-113 degree days, and, yes, I worked in it. I did move a bit slower. It was the thinnest I ever was. Our A/C also went out that summer. All we had was box fans. It was a long hot summer. I'd get home from work, sit in front of a box fan in nothing but gym shorts and drink a tall glass of cold iced tea.

cdayton

We lived in southern AZ for 10 years and I always marveled at men installing tile roofs in 105+ temperatures. But, of course, it was dry heat.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I agree. Roofing is hard, hot work. Dry heat will suck the moisture right out of you. I don't envy you your 118 degree days!!

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

When you’re out every day, all the time, you get used to it. I used to work out in the heat every day all summer with my father’s contracting business, and it was no big deal. Now that I’m not doing that work, the heat kills me.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I agree. Decades ago when I used to ride a bike for exercise, I'd do 20 miles in 65 minutes around the lake near us. I did better when it was around 97 degrees. What I would give to be that young again.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

They've been doing it for hundreds and hundreds of years....its what you do.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

I came from the Mechanical Contracting business and our tradesmen worked in both new construction and renovation of commercial and industrial facilities. As the employer it was our responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment for our employees. OSHA and other organizations and agencies of authority have strict guidelines on heat stress and here's what we needed to do to provide an OSHA compliant work site:

OSHA Heat Stress Compliance Guidelines

1. Permit workers to drink water at liberty: At least one pint of water per hour (per worker) is recommended.
2. Establish provisions for a work/rest regimen in order to limit exposure time to high temperatures. Provide shade or air conditioning and water during these breaks.
3. Develop a heat stress program incorporating the following:
4. Training program about recognizing and reducing heat illness;
5. Screening program to identify heat-related health conditions;
6. Acclimation program for new and returning employees;
7. Specific procedures to be followed for heat-related emergencies;
8. Provisions allowing for the immediate administration of first aid to workers displaying symptoms of heat illness.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

In my area the hot temperatures come with high humidity. Sweat evaporation cools the body but this is only effective in dry air. So 95 in the arid parts do not feel as bad as here in high humidity.

EdJ0307 Loc: out west someplace

FYI, if you are a Windows user you can use the keyboard to type in "Alt + 0176" to display a degree sign.
100°
Yeah, like that.
If you use a Mac they probably have something like the Character Map.
BTW, you have to use the keypad for the 0176, not the QWERTY keyboard.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

How about from one extreme to the other? When I was a school crossing guard, I worked one winter when the temperature was sub zero for a full week. At least in extreme cold, you can put layers of clothing under your uniform, in extreme hot, there's only so much you can do.

khalidikram

I just returned from a trip to Pakistan and Egypt. Temperatures in some cities were 105-114. Farmers, construction and other workers were working full days, and because it was Ramadan (month of fasting) they were neither eating nor drinking anything (including water) from sunrise to sunset.