WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WLIO) -Â With the real temperatures reaching in the high 90s and heat indexes over 100 degrees, employers are working to keep those who have to work in these conditions safe.Â
The Wapakoneta Public Works Department is focused on ensuring that their workers are able to stay safe on the job. Workers are being given regular breaks to protect themselves from the heat, and are encouraged to drink water and cool down in air-conditioned vehicles. City officials say the measures help prevent accidents, exhaustion, and over heating.
"A lot of the jobs like the one they'll be preparing to do here in a second — they're going to be putting up some signs — they're very strenuous, especially with this heat," said Anthony Drexler, a supervisor with Wapakoneta Public Works.
"Putting up a sign, there's a lot of strenuous labor involved: reaching up, climbing a ladder. We don't need you getting light headed, falling off a ladder, or anything like that. We want our safety for them as much as we want to make the roadways for our city."
Mayor Dan Lee talked about where workers can go during their shift to take care of themselves and stay cool while they're on the job.
"Our fire department is is open 24/7 if you need relief. Our lobby of the police department is open 24/7 if you need relief. There are areas in Wapakoneta that have air conditioning where you'll be able to dodge some of the heat that we have," said Lee.
Workers are encouraged to take care of themselves and get out of the heat whenever they can.
