(WICHITA, Kan.) — The heat impacts what we wear, our electric bills, and for some, when they go to work. Eyewitness News hustled to catch up with crews before their hot day shifts ended.
"Without them working in the heat," said Jason Smith of Smith Construction, "there's no way we'd be where we are today."
Employers across Kansas recognize that sometimes, 8 to 5 just isn't a good schedule. Just ask construction workers. "They went from 7:30 AM start time to 6:30 AM start time," said Smith, "to start early and try to beat the heat during the day. So they can get off earlier in the afternoon."
It is common for construction workers to adjust their hours, but other industries are now doing the same thing.
"We can't control this room's temperature, so there's nobody in here," said John Saindon of Ron's Sign Co. in Wichita. Employees often work in vinyl to make vinyl signs, and when the mercury climbs above 90 degrees, the glue just slides right off.
Usually, there would be a few people working at Ron's Sign Co. But the benches sit silent, because there's nothing usual about this weather.
"We have a crew coming in at 4 o'clock tomorrow, in the morning, yes," said Saindon. "And we're going to be working on a building that's metal with an asphalt parking lot. And the only way to make that happen is to come in that early."
Even aviation manufacturers are beginning to change their shift schedules. Beginning Thursday, Cessna moved everything ahead two hours. So instead of leaving at 3:30, they left at 1:30. That also meant they have to come in two hours earlier. The new schedule will continue through Labor Day.
But for some, there's no reprieve from the heat, or the time clock. Just more water, and more sweat.
