No Escaping Heat Wave for Subway Workers

July 9, 2007 — -- You know you're hot when the only relief you have to look forward to is the breeze from a passing subway train.

Temperatures in the New York metropolitan area neared 100 degrees today, as eastern states woke up to a heat wave. Above ground, New Yorkers availed themselves of air conditioning and found shady spots to rest outside, but while waiting for a train at one of the city's 277 underground subway stations, the heat was inescapable.

"I feel icky and sticky and hot," said 5-year-old Tiffany Vasquez, while waiting with her mother for an uptown No. 1 train at Columbus Circle.

While riders had to contend with the heat and humidity for a few minutes, those who work in the subway spend hours below ground with little relief.

Thousands of transit workers, construction workers, police officers and vendors report to work beneath the city's streets every day, in conditions as hot and humid as those found in the Amazon rain forest.

"You just drink a lot of water and try not to walk around too much," said one transit worker who asked that his named not be used. "Also, we'll wait for the breeze of a passing train."

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in an e-mailed statement that many workers "often face hot conditions which pose special hazards to safety and health."

Among the health hazards facing workers in hot environments, OSHA lists heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat rash and fainting.

OSHA recommends keeping hydrated, "moving to a cooler place, reducing the work pace or load, or removing or loosening some clothing," in order to reduce heat-related injuries while on the job.

Tony, a construction worker who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he worked eight hours in the subway's broiling heat. Though his company provided him with an ice machine, water and a large electric fan, he took only one one-hour break outside.

"No one has had any problems, but the heat is pretty bad. We can take a break to drink water whenever we need to and sometimes there's a breeze when a train passes, especially when it comes out of the tunnel," he said.