While many people took the weekend to hide from the cold weather, there are some who couldn’t. Gas pump attendants, construction workers and Christmas tree sellers are just some of the jobs that unavoidably happen outside.
“I’m wearing about three pants and about four shirts right now, plus the jacket and sweater and everything,” Ryan Tarr, a gas pump attendant, said.
Despite the layers, Tarr said, working outside these last few days, has been tough.
“You stand still for a bit and you start freezing up,” he said. “The secret is to keep on running and moving. That’ll keep you warm out here.”
Lucas Sabit, an outdoor contractor, said he’s getting used to the cold after spending the last three winters working outside.
“You get kind of, like, fatigued,” he said. “Your feet get really cold. They stay really cold for a long time.”
Tarr said it’s his fingers and toes that are affected the worst. “They’ll start getting numb and tingly and then after that it doesn’t usually get much further than that because we’re generally prepared out here,” he said.
According to Saskatchewan’s occupational health and safety division, 10 minute warm up breaks should be taken every 75 minutes when the temperature reaches -26 degrees Celsius with winds that are 16 km/h or more. All non-emergency work should stop at -43 degrees Celsius.
“If we get cold we can warm up with hot chocolate and stuff like that,” said Tarr.
Outdoor workers say buying quality gear is key.
“Spend the money on good stuff, don’t get cheap stuff,” Sabit said.
With an earlier than average start to chilly temperatures, workers said they have a long season ahead of them.
“I definitely look forward to summer out here, but it’s just another couple months we’ve got to get through out here,” Tarr said. “It’s just work.”
Sabit also said he didn’t mind the work.
“Someone’s got to do it. Pays the bills,” he said.
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