We're in the midst of a North Texas heatwave. And just about everyone is trying to find ways to stay indoors and cool. But for DFW's welders, the job must go on and that means long hours in the hot sun working with fire.
Justin Farwell owns Dallas Mobile Welders LLC and has been doing metal work for 20 years. He says two decades of Dallas summers will make you an expert of surviving the triple digits. "You acclimate. But you know how to handle yourself. You have to hydrate before you head out, once you get behind, you're in trouble," Farwell said.
Farwell drives across the metroplex every single day, going to multiple calls and working from his truck. His office is often a hot parking lot under the open sun. "I've never worked in air conditioning, I think I would fall asleep," Farwell said.
Farwell says his welding tools operate around 1280 degrees. The intense heat and layers of protective clothing make July's scorchers even more intense. Farwell isn't the only welder hard at work and welders aren't the only industry sweating this summer. Over the last week, News 8 Daybreak has covered several of the areas "hot jobs," including AC repair crews, BBQ pitmasters and dry cleaning crews.
Online viewers messaged hundreds of times with their own hot jobs. The suggestions ranged from firefighters to UPS drivers to construction and roofing crews. Over the week, it became clear DFW is full of hard-working men and women who show up no matter what the mercury says.
As for Farwell, he says hard work is the only way to approach life. "They've got sand. You've got to have grit. I like that and that's what we need more of in the world," Farwell said.