Those who work outdoors in the Louisiana heat have many colorful ways of describing it.
“It’s kind of like, if you were to say, have a few friends over for a gathering and say let’s just all hang out in my BBQ pit,” says George Boudreaux, owner of Pelican Roofing Company.
Construction companies across Acadiana, such as Pelican Roofing and Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement have to adjust accordingly.
“We definitely have to plan accordingly, you know, we work at a much slower pace, making sure guys stay hydrated, so yes, it does affect productivity,” says Shad Lantier with Jim Olivier’s Home Improvement.
Both companies have implemented a buddy system to keep workers safe.
“That’s something that we’ve been discussing in safety meetings making sure we’re watching symptoms of fatigue, nausea, fainting,” says Lantier.
“One of the most important things we’ve implemented is just a culture and mindset of paying attention to the guy working next to you,” says Boudreaux.
A black roof absorbs up to 90% of incoming solar radiation from the sun, which can allow their temperatures to reach between 140-190 degrees. This makes working on a roof during a heat wave exceptionally challenging.
“We gotta use gloves this time of year, you can keep your hand on a shingle, depending on the time of the day for a few seconds, so you can get burned, and the soles of your shoes can get burned,” says Boudreaux.
Boudreaux says his company also has to account for the decrease in productivity.
“We schedule our jobs according to that, so we don’t put too much on the plate so guys don’t feel like they’re trying to meet certain goals that aren’t obtainable and aren’t safe,” says Boudreaux.
If you have outdoor activity or work, you can also take precautions to keep yourself safe.
Staying hydrated, drinking 8 glasses of water a day, and taking frequent breaks can reduce your risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke.