Outdoor workers in Sudbury find ways to cope during heatwave

As the heat continues to work overtime in northern Ontario, the outdoor workforce is finding ways to beat the heat and still stay on schedule.

The heat continues to work overtime in northern Ontario, with many communities remaining under a yellow heat warning from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Outdoor labourers CTV News spoke with shared tips on how they’re beating the heat while staying on schedule.

It’s not easy to work outside in the kind of weather that makes people want to stay inside or run to the beach. But workers in Sudbury are still climbing ladders and spreading asphalt.

“It’s really hot,” said Josiah Lavallee of Adams’ Outdoor Services.

“We’re struggling just a bit, but overall, we’re getting our work done, and everything’s going well.”

‘It gets super, super hot’

“Up on the roofs again -- it gets super, super hot,” added Joe McPherson, owner of Signature Property Care.

“Something down here maybe feels like 30, but up there it feels probably more like 45 or so. So it’s definitely something we take very seriously, making sure our guys are in good shape and not pushing themselves too hard.”

Lavallee said water, shade and sunscreen are essential on any day -- but on a hot day like Thursday, they packed extra.

“We’ve been … checking the news and making sure we keep up with it so that we stay hydrated, bring extra water, bring extra Gatorade,” he said.

“Whatever we can to stay hydrated. And also extra sunscreen just in case we run out.”

Employee safety is the top concern for these Sudbury-based organizations, who said their customers share those same values.

“Our clients anyway seem to be pretty understanding with the weather and whatnot between the rain and the heat and everything like that,” McPherson said.

“So if need be, we’ll have to reschedule to maybe the following day or whatnot because of the shorter days we’re having.”

Public health organizations across Ontario recommend staying in the shade when possible, drinking lots of water, and wearing sunscreen to avoid heat-related illness.

and the organizations we spoke with say they’re taking precautions very seriously.

And in a statement, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development said employers must ensure that workers are protected from the risk of heat-related illness.

“During periods of elevated heat, employers should ensure workers have access to water, shaded or cool rest areas, and training to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat stress,” the statement said.

“Workers also have the right to refuse unsafe work.”

Managers can be fined up to $1.5 million for directors or officers of a corporation, and $2 million for corporations for violating workplace safety rules, the statement added.

Employers and workers can learn more online about Managing Heat Stress at Work, a dedicated webpage on Ontario.ca.