Shipyard workers are battling the heat - BY PETER DUJARDIN, Daily Press, VA
Yard management has increased heat precautions in recent years, said Jim Cavezza -- chairman of the health and safety committee at Local 8888 of the United Steelworkers, the yard's main union -- and company officials.
Aside from the buddy system, supervisors give five-minute daily safety briefings, called 'Take Five for Safety.'
Ice and water machines are more widely dispersed now than they've ever been, Cavezza said. And, he said, the yard has purchased new devices to allow workers to deal with the heat -- including cooling vests and personal cooling devices for welders.