Video: Working In The Heat

[syndicaster id=’5877202′]

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – High temperatures and warnings about the heat continue into a new week.

Heat advisories from weather experts and across Mississippi and Alabama have been in full force for more than seven days.

Staying cool at home and at work is a priority, but some workers who spend their days outside have to take special precautions.

“Typically, what we do is we start our morning off by filling up our five gallon cooler with ice water and we also keep some dry Gatorade,” said Smith Landscaping Supervisor of Crew Maintenance Clay Bowen.

A normal day for Smith Landscaping crews means starting at 7:30 AM and working until 5:30. On average, they work 10 accounts per day and only have one 30 minute lunch break in between time.

With extreme temperatures like this, it makes you wonder, how do they cool off?

“Some guys like to use cooling headbands that you can wet and they keep your head cool,” said Bowen.

Bowen has worked in the landscaping business for five years. Part of his job is handling the elements.

“You get used to it after a while. I’m not going to say that we jump up and are excited when we see on the news that it’s going to feel like 107 degrees outside, but you get acclimated after a while, and it’s tough to leave the comfort of your air conditioner but it sure makes it better to come home to as well,” said Bowen.

For Bowen and his crew, knowing their limits and not over-working themselves is important in this extreme heat.

“Some things that don’t work is pushing the limit and not cooling off when you need to or getting out of the sun when you feel like you should, and then you can get heat exhaustion or heat stroke, things of that nature,” explained Bowen.

Bowen also says taking proper precautions is important as well.

That means applying sunscreen, staying hydrated, and staying in shaded areas.

“Some people just overdue it and don’t realize when they’re getting heat exhaustion, and the main thing is don’t be afraid to take a break and get in the shade every now and then to cool off,” said Bowen.