Temperatures rise, work continues

If you stepped outside Thursday you know it didn't take much to break a sweat, but for those swinging hammers and hauling off trees, dealing with the heat is a completely different challenge.

"Very hot, real hot and humid today," said Asplundh tree trimmer former Bryan Mannihan.

There's no way to escape it when your job is outside.

"Just the humidity is ridiculous," said Alsplundh tree trimmer Bob Chamberland.  "It's really hot and you don't have to do anything to sweat."

"A lot of sweating, got to drink a lot of water," said Mannihan.

For Mannihan and his crew of tree trimmers the heat is dictating how much progress they make.

"Main thing is make sure everybody stays hydrated, drink a lot of water, try to stay cool and productive at the same time," said Mannihan.

The same is true for Dion Cram and his workers at Northern Illinois Wall and Ceiling.

"You can't work in this temperature very effectively," said Cram.

That's why Cram has supplies on hand to make these his guys stay safe.

"I got a cooler," said Cram.  "Try to get these guys a lot of water and keep hydrated, cause once you get dehydrated bad things happen on the lift."

But when the temperature gets as hot as it did Thursday, the conditions become over powering.

"You have to wear gloves otherwise it'll burn you," said Cram.  "And you can't touch the roof with your skin at all."

The heat and dangerous conditions actually forced Cram to end the work day early.

"I think it's too hot for my guys," said Cram.  "We're working with the metal studs and the heat coming off them, it's just unbearable for them."

But after being on job since 6 Thursday morning, both construction workers and tree trimmers couldn't wait to get out of the heat.

"Boat, water, pool, whatever, AC," said Mannihan.  "Whatever's best, we'll find out when we get there I guess."

The hot conditions are expected to stick around through the weekend, so if you have plans to work outside make sure to take breaks often and definitely stay hydrated.