Triple-digit temps: good for some, tough for others
The Borderland has been baking with triple-digits temps for the past couple of days.
While avoiding the heat is encouraged, some simply can’t. “We are breaking a sweat, for sure,” Michael Payan, of Empire Dent and Body, said. “Most buildings are insulated, unfortunately this one is not, and we have to do what we can to get by.”
Empire’s manager Joe Cruz says keeping his employees cool and hydrated is a priority. “When you work with such hot temperatures, it decreases production,” he said.
“Not only does it make you feel bad while you’re working,” Cruz said, “you have to stop every ten minutes to get your head wet or get something to drink.”
Cruz invested in two AC units inside his shop, since there is no insulation. He also hired another company to put another coating on the roof to provide relief inside the garage.
Other companies find the heat as an advantage. Rainbow Fountain in central El Paso is a prime example. “Business increases up to 60 percent around this time, during the hot, hot conditions,” employee Jorge Gonzalez said. “(The heat) brings in a lot of customers,” he added,”they ask for a lot of our fruit drinks which is natural, and they ask for a lot of ice and slush to cool them down.”
Whether you’re protected inside with an AC unit or outside in the burning sun, it is important to listen to your body. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s heat illness prevention campaign continues to educate employees about the hazards of hot weather conditions.
According to OSHA, every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. The administration’s message comes down to three key words: water, rest, shade.
