The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Landscapers yesterday revealed they are starting work a full hour earlier to protect their workers from over-exposure to the summer heat and potential health complications.

Conray Rolle, the Bahamas Landscaping Association's chairman, told Tribune Business he and his members have had to adjust their operating hours through the earlier start while also making sure that sufficient ice and water is available for their employees.

“It hasn’t affected productivity. I don’t let the sun slow me down, but it’s caused me to spend more money on water and ice. and the issues with the ice shortage can sometimes make things difficult for us," he added. Back in July, gas stations and food stores were complaining of an ice shortage after suppliers experienced temporary production woes with equipment said to have broken down, but these appear to have been resolved.

Mr Rolle added: “We just try to stay as hydrated as possible. We're trying to minimise the amount of sun exposure, clearly, on some of the jobs that we're doing. But we are getting out a little bit earlier in the morning to try to beat the heat and now we're just doing our best to try to stay hydrated and keep our hats on and keep our skin as covered as possible.”

The US health watchdog, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has frequently warned about the health-related risks if employees working outdoors suffer prolonged exposure to the sun and heat.

"We’re just out here coping the best way we can. We haven’t had any medical or health issues, at least nothing that has been realised or what has affected us," Mr Rolle said.

“We are making adjustments as we go along. The important thing for us is keeping our crews hydrated with ice and water. We also started to go out earlier in the morning so we can do the bulk of the work before the sun comes out and starts to bear down on us.

“By the time the height of the heat has arrived, we have pretty much done much of the heaviest part of the work. It’s an adjustment and it isn’t anything new for us. It has been some extreme heat where it’s a different kind of heat altogether.”