BRENTWOOD, Tenn.- When this type of record heat hits, most people try to stay inside, but some people who work outdoors don't have that choice. For these employees staying safe can be life or death matter.
In one Brentwood neighborhood, on a day when temperatures topped out at 107 degrees, Wendall and his crew spent the day laying asphalt. Asphalt and tar hit the ground at over 330 degrees, adding more danger to an already heated day.
It's a job that even they agree could be one of the hottest out there, except for maybe one other.
"Roofing might be hotter .I don't know. I don't want to find out either," said Wendall.
When working in the extreme heat crews are careful to look out for each other and possible signs of heat stroke or other heat related illnesses.
"If they start getting hot, take a break, sit down, but you look to watch out for yourself, you know? You see somebody staggering, you know something isn't right," explained Wendall.
Heat stroke is a real possibility for those who work outside in such extreme condition.
While the workers said they are proud to take on Mother Nature, they agree that a cooler fall can't come soon enough. Many companies that have employees outside will vary the work times, so crews are not working during the hottest part of the day, but they admit it's not always easy.
