Director of Facilities Resources Vickie DeWitt said employees are encouraged to work flex hours, which allow them to come to work at 6 a.m. rather than 8 a.m. and work until early afternoon. Facilities employees also are encouraged to take frequent breaks. When it's hot, we encourage them to take more breaks, get in the shade and drink plenty of liquids. For many construction workers on campus, finding relief from the heat also can be difficult. See Related Story K-State campus undergoing heavy fall construction 8.26.98 Carter said facilities is not responsible for the safety of contract construction workers.
Facilities also has no control over when they work or how they dress.
They also have a looser dress code, such as not wearing shirts and being allowed to wear shorts. But that is an issue between employee and employer. Facilities also provides information and resources to educate workers about possible heat dangers. Safety bulletin boards and voluntary classes inform workers about standard first aid, the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat cramps and how to eat balanced meals to help with heat acclimation. DeWitt said there have been no heat-related health problems or injuries of which she is aware.