Handling The Heat: Plenty of Liquids, Frequent Breaks Keys For Roseville Work Crews

Roseville city maintenance crews have been getting a big dose of heat as they make their way around the community cleaning up debris from this week’s thunderstorms.

On Tuesday, Josh Dix and Jason Perkinhoff were among Roseville city workers clearing out storm water drains to make sure that catch basins and ponds don’t overflow.

With the heat index expected to soar between 105 and 115 degrees, Dix and Perkinhoff said Tuesday afternoon they found it plenty hot.

“It isn’t very much fun,” said Dix, 30 and a permanent Roseville city employee. “I have already had enough of summer. I am already looking forward to snowplowing.”

But he added a saving grace is when the sky is overcast and there is a good breeze.

During the past few days, Dix and Perkinhoff said they have been taking more breaks and drinking plenty of liquids.

Perkinhoff, a 22-year-old seasonal worker, said one respite from the heat is that he and Dix are able to get back into their air-conditioned truck when driving from one job site to another.

Carolyn Curti, Roseville communications specialist, said, “All (maintenance) staff receive training to prevent, recognize and treat heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Crews take more frequent breaks and make sure to get plenty of water.”

For Dix, that’s meant bringing a half-gallon container and filling it with ice water.

Despite a few days of excessive heat, Dix said that he much prefers working outside year around compared to his days as a retail worker when he routinely pulled down weekend and holiday duty.  “To have to a  couple days like this is OK when I am able to work outside year around,” Dix said.

On the other hand, Perkinhoff, who graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in psychology, said he hopes to land a job as a school counselor.