It's a hot job but someone's got to do it

On hot summer days like today do you ever think about the folks whose jobs take them outdoors during the hottest part of the day? Immediately construction workers, road crews and farmers come to mind, but what about the water meter reader or the on-foot letter carrier?

Last week, I caught up with Cathy Stroup, a meter reader with the City of Hartsville utilities department, and Alison Peebles, a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service in Hartsville, taking a break at the end of a hot sweaty day of work outdoors.

The two women beat a path along Hartsville city streets doing their jobs on some of the hottest and coldest of days of year. How do they endure?

On a hot summer day, how do you stay cool?

Lots of fluids, mostly water and Gatorade, said Stroup.

Peebles, who has worked with the postal service for 19-1/2 years, said she likes to take along frozen fruit to eat as well.

Both agreed getting a good night’s sleep the night before a strenuous day outdoors is paramount.

“My main thing is I have to have eight hours of sleep,” Peebles said.

Stroup said taking a five-minute break about every hour while out in the heat helps keep her going.

“If you ever stop sweating and get cold chills, get confused, etc., get out of the heat as soon as possible,” Stroup said.

The two women have their tried-and-true methods for surviving the heat.

Here are some of their tips: wear a hat; light-colored, loose-fitting cotton clothing; apply sunscreen; eat a good breakfast and eat light while in the heat.

Peebles said she doesn’t like to wear sunscreen on her face, because she is continually wiping sweat from her face and when it gets in her eyes it burns. Stroup said she wears it on exposed skin to keep from having a “farmer’s tan.”

“My favorite thing while walking and working is to wear a wet, white towel around my neck,” she said.

Another tip Stroup calls “girl stuff” is to use antiperspirant and powder everywhere before getting dressed. It helps from getting a heat rash.

Stroup said this summer hasn’t been any hotter to her than others; it has just been a lot of hot days in a row.

Peebles said it has been a rough three weeks.

“You just get acclimated to it,” she said.

In delivering mail in the city, Peebles said she has seen it all, drugs, sex, snakes and fire ants; however, women equal or outnumber men in the position of letter carrier in Hartsville.

“Women are tougher,” Peebles said. “I don’t think just anybody can work out here. No pansy could do it.”

Stroup said she is only the third or fourth woman to hold the position of meter reader. She has been at the job for six years, which she said is the longest a female has held the position. Stroup said others tried but didn’t stick with it.

It is back-bending, hard-on-the-feet work but Stroup said, “I love working outdoors. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

People sometimes like to complain to her about their water bills. Stroup said she just lets them vent, and then tells them she doesn’t work in the billing department. Dogs can be a problem. Stroup said she speaks to them in a strong voice or gives them a mean look, and if that doesn’t work, she shows them her meter stick.

Peebles said city letter carries have a different route every day. Two of the routes in Hartsville are very physical that you walk with a mail bag, and one of those routes is Richardson Circle. She said it takes about an hour and 15 minutes to walk that route.

Although the weather can be challenging at times, Peebles said she likes her job. She graduated college as an education major, but, while going to school an extra semester and working part time in the post office at night, Peebles said she heard her friends talk about not being able to pay the rent to live in their own apartment. She said the pay was good, and she eventually was offered full-time employment and stayed.

The women agree they would not trade their outdoor jobs for one inside. They like working outdoors because it keeps them active.

“I love being outside,” Peebles said.

“I can go out and cut the grass when I get home,” Peebles said. “And it doesn’t bother me at all.”

One thing is for certain, it’s not a job for the faint of heart.