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PITTSBURG —
Summer came almost a month early this year, and so, too, did the heat.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning effective until 7 p.m. Saturday, and afternoon temperatures in the Four State area are expected to range from 100 to 10f degrees with heat indexes ranging from 103 to 109 degrees. That’s not good news for people who work outside, such as brick masons or city street crews, and is taking extra precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and stroke.
Bill Beasley, the City of Pittsburg’s director of public works, said that as the street paving season gets underway, he reminds his crews to keep their water coolers full.
“The main thing we tell them to do is stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids,” Beasley said. “We’re in the middle of the asphalt paving season and a lot of those guys have to be out in the sun all day. And when they’re waiting for trucks we tell them to try to find a shady spot.”
Beasley said his crews have also switched to the summer schedule, which means the street crews start at 6 a.m. and work until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They get Fridays off.
“They get one day where they don’t have to be in the sun,” Beasley said. “We started the first of June and we’ll probably go that way until September.”
Beasley said he was aware of the early start to the summer’s heat.
“Last year we didn’t start until July,” he said.
Brick Mason Rocky Mosler was building the address post for Pittsburg State University’s Crossland Family University House Thursday afternoon. He said he’s used to the heat but that he always takes precautions.
“We just take a few more breaks and drink lots of fluid,” Mosler said. “You just cope with it. When you get used to it, it doesn’t bother you as much.”
Heat exhaustion is a serious condition and shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to the Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is a condition with symptoms that include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It's one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.
Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.
Summer came almost a month early this year, and so, too, did the heat.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning effective until 7 p.m. Saturday, and afternoon temperatures in the Four State area are expected to range from 100 to 10f degrees with heat indexes ranging from 103 to 109 degrees. That’s not good news for people who work outside, such as brick masons or city street crews, and is taking extra precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and stroke.
Bill Beasley, the City of Pittsburg’s director of public works, said that as the street paving season gets underway, he reminds his crews to keep their water coolers full.
“The main thing we tell them to do is stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids,” Beasley said. “We’re in the middle of the asphalt paving season and a lot of those guys have to be out in the sun all day. And when they’re waiting for trucks we tell them to try to find a shady spot.”
Beasley said his crews have also switched to the summer schedule, which means the street crews start at 6 a.m. and work until 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. They get Fridays off.
“They get one day where they don’t have to be in the sun,” Beasley said. “We started the first of June and we’ll probably go that way until September.”
Beasley said he was aware of the early start to the summer’s heat.
“Last year we didn’t start until July,” he said.
Brick Mason Rocky Mosler was building the address post for Pittsburg State University’s Crossland Family University House Thursday afternoon. He said he’s used to the heat but that he always takes precautions.
“We just take a few more breaks and drink lots of fluid,” Mosler said. “You just cope with it. When you get used to it, it doesn’t bother you as much.”
Heat exhaustion is a serious condition and shouldn’t be taken lightly. According to the Mayo Clinic, heat exhaustion is a condition with symptoms that include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. It's one of three heat-related syndromes, with heat cramps being the mildest and heatstroke being the most severe.
Causes of heat exhaustion include exposure to high temperatures, particularly when combined with high humidity, and strenuous physical activity. Without prompt treatment, heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke, a life-threatening condition.
Individuals with heat stroke tend to have symptoms such as:
• High body temperature. A body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher is the main sign of heatstroke.
• A lack of sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, skin feels hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, skin may feel moist.
• Nausea and vomiting. Victim may feel sick to his or her stomach or vomit.
• Flushed skin. Skin may turn red as body temperature increases.
• Rapid breathing. Breathing may become rapid and shallow.
• Racing heart rate. Pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on the heart to help cool the body.
• Headache. May experience a throbbing headache.
• Confusion. May have seizures, hallucinate, or have difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying.
• Unconsciousness. May pass out or fall into a state of deep unconsciousness (coma).
• Muscle cramps or weakness. Muscles may feel tender or cramped in the early stages of heatstroke, but may later go rigid or limp.
Possible heat exhaustion symptoms include:
• Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Low blood pressure upon standing
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea
• Headache
