Outside workers pushing through ‘gross’ Lincoln heat wave

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Outside workers were sweating in the streets of Lincoln on Monday, trying to beat the hot temperatures.

On 16th Street, some workers were power washing buildings while construction crews were repaving the street from R to Vine streets.

“You’re sweating, you’re feeling gross, you’re in the heat out in the sun, so it’s not the greatest time,” a worker said. “But if you love what you’re doing, you’re going to keep coming every day.”

Workers stayed cool by drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks.

One construction worker said he was shocked by how many breaks he had to take and was frustrated that the work will take longer because of the heat.

The city’s assistant transportation director, Thomas Shafer, said he encourages his workers to stop during the peak heat and come back to their work later.

He said the workers are trained to recognize the signs of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses — and do their best to prevent them.

“With that training, and with people being trained to look for those signs, we are fortunate that we haven’t had anything because we are looking out for each other,” Shafer said.