Triple-digit heat creates challenges for Southwest Florida construction crews

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — As feels-like temperatures climb into the triple digits across Southwest Florida, outdoor workers are finding ways to stay safe while continuing to meet demanding deadlines.

For Shiron Resendiz, owner of D&S Construction Home Services, the heat is just another challenge on the job.

Her crew is currently working on a home in Arcadia being rebuilt through a Hurricane Ian recovery program designed to help homeowners whose properties were severely damaged during the storm.

"This house is very special because it's for people that have needs because their homes were damaged," Resendiz said.

The project is on a tight schedule. While the entire home must be completed within 60 days, Resendiz's crew is responsible for framing, roofing, siding and window installation in just seven to ten days.

"We are on day six," Resendiz said. "Probably we won't finish until Saturday."

The work continues even as temperatures soar.

Resendiz said the hottest part of the day is typically between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the Florida sun can make working conditions especially difficult for crews spending hours outdoors.

"It is really hot," Resendiz said. "But the guys take a break during the day. We start as early as possible, and they take breaks during the day. We keep them hydrated because, especially in this heat, it's so hard for them."

A typical workday starts around 8 a.m. and can continue until 4 or 5 p.m., with workers spending eight to nine hours outside.

To combat the heat, crews take regular breaks, drink water and electrolyte beverages throughout the day and wear long-sleeve dry-fit clothing designed to protect them from direct sun exposure.

Unlike some companies, D&S Construction does not have a specific temperature that automatically shuts down work.

"It's up to them when they feel that they cannot do any more," Resendiz said.

That approach was shaped by a frightening experience last year when one of her workers suffered a heat-related illness on a job site.

"One of them almost passed over, and I went there to pick him up and take him to the hospital because it was really hot," Resendiz said.

She recalled seeing the worker become clammy and visibly distressed, warning signs that his body was struggling to cope with the heat.

The incident reinforced the importance of monitoring workers closely and ensuring they stay hydrated throughout the day.

"I think, as a business owner, it is very important that we have safety for the hard workers that we have because thanks to them we can move forward with the project," Resendiz said.

Health experts say recognizing the warning signs of heat-related illnesses can help prevent a medical emergency.

Dr. Luis Aponte, a Fort Myers physician with more than two decades of experience, says heat exhaustion can quickly become dangerous if symptoms are ignored.

"First signs will be heat exhaustion," Aponte said. "We're looking for dizziness, nausea. People might develop vomiting and coordination problems."

If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress into heat stroke, a life-threatening condition that can lead to organ failure.

Aponte recommends moving to a cool place immediately, drinking fluids and seeking medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen.

"If you're drinking fluids and your body's not able to take them down, that's another indication to seek medical attention," Aponte said.

Health systems across Southwest Florida are already keeping a close eye on heat-related illnesses.

According to Caitlin George, RN, Administrative Director of Emergency Services at NCH Naples Comprehensive Health, the healthcare system has seen a recent increase in heat-related cases in its emergency departments.

"Though the number of heat-related conditions is less overall compared to this same time period last year, NCH has seen a recent spike in heat-related conditions at our Emergency Departments," George said in a statement. "We anticipate that volume to increase in July and August as we get further into the hottest months of the year."

Lee Health reports a different trend.

In a statement, Lee Health said it has not seen a significant spike in heat-related illnesses in recent weeks.

While many people assume construction workers, utility crews and farm workers are most at risk, Aponte says those workers are often well-trained in recognizing heat dangers and taking precautions.

"Those people have been doing their work for a while," Aponte said. "They know what to do. They bring coolers to work, they maintain ice, and they know when their body is enough."

Instead, Aponte says older adults and people who are not accustomed to spending extended periods outdoors are often more vulnerable.

"I expect to see an older friend who went out for a walk and forgot to drink water," Aponte said. "People exercising that say, 'Let me do another block today,' and they forget the water."

As Southwest Florida heads deeper into summer, doctors expect more heat-related illnesses as temperatures continue climbing.

For Resendiz and her crew, however, the focus remains on safely completing the work ahead.

With homeowners waiting to move back into rebuilt homes and deadlines quickly approaching, the job must continue.

"We're finished this Saturday," Resendiz said.