Outdoor workers soldier through Fresno summer heat

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Construction is well underway in Downtown Fresno to open up Fulton Mall to traffic and the Valley's triple digit temperatures aren't going to delay the project.

Workers here tell us they take a good look at the forecast and bring the essentials for working outside on a sweltering hot day.

"We just try to have a little safety huddle in the morning, let the guys know it's going to be hot, drink plenty of water," John Taylor with American Paving said. "We put up shade structures for them just to try and keep everybody cool."

This week, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, issued a high heat advisory.

OSHA requires employers to provide their workers with at least a quart of clean, accessible drinking water for every hour they're at work, plus shade to rest.

The crews take lots of breaks and wear special shades for their necks. They also fill up 10-gallon tanks with water...and work as a team.

"And have everybody kind of keep an eye out for each other to see if anybody's overheating let supervisors know and kind of keep everybody safe so they can go home safe," Taylor said.

In northeast Fresno, employees with All Valley Roofing start their day at 6 a.m. hoping to work the most efficiently while it's still a little bit cool outside.

As the day heats up, though, they dress appropriately.

"You have to wear long sleeves so you don't get burned," Brandon Ramos with the company said. "The more skin you have exposed the worse it's going to get chance of heat stroke is imminent if you're out here in a tank top. You have to cover up properly you have to have big hats you have to have a lot of water."

The workers drink ice water every 15 minutes on days when temperatures can reach triple digits.

"We lose so much water coming out and we have to replenish every 15 to 20 minutes otherwise we pass out up there," Ramos said.