Construction Crews Feel The Heat

Wednesday, August 15th 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

The heat is on to keep building, and stay safe at the same time, at the BOK Arena construction site. But with the temperature hitting 100 degrees that's not easy. The construction workers are drinking lots of water and Gatorade as they try to bear the incredible heat. Some crews are working inside, so theyâ€™re okay, they're in the shade, but The News On 6â€™s Emory Bryan reports some have to work out on the outside of the arena, with no protection from the sun except a hard hat and bandana.

Imagine working with heat in 100 degree temperatures; now imagine handling steel that is hot enough to burn skin. That combination has made the water jug the most important piece of equipment at the BOK Arena construction site at 300 South Denver.

"We have to check the water way more, monitor it more than we normally do and that's the key to make sure these guys don't get dehydrated," construction supervisor Rick Cole said.

Tulsa Vision Builders dealt with some delays early in the summer because of all the rain. Now it's the heat that is delaying some of the work, though overall, the arena project is still on schedule.

"The big rush right at the moment is to get the building enclosed as fast as we can, the roofer has started now," said Bob Eggleston, construction manager.

As the exterior walls of the arena are built, and roof panels are added, some shade is created inside.

The black walls going up will be covered with the steel skin of the building and the rest will be glass. By the time that job starts the heat wave will likely be broken, and workers can get back to the 10 hour days they had before the temperature hit 100.

"We've stopped our extended hours and really slowed it down, to just eight hours a day," Cole said.

To make up some of the lost time, there is work scheduled for Saturdays. Right now about 180 people are on site each day building the arena, which will open in 13 months.

For more on extreme weather and how it affects your health, click here.

Watch the video: Construction Crews Battling Oklahoma's Heat Wave