The heat is steaming up trouble for Miss-Lou businesses.

The temperature rose to 96 degrees Monday, but for workers outside it felt like 106 making the work environment a little less bearable.

When Goodyear mechanic Prince King is under a car, he said the heat puts a mental toll on him.

&uot;(The heat) is slowing me down. It gets me confused,&uot; King said Monday. &uot;It’s the hottest summer I’ve seen.&uot;

As he wiped sweat off his forehead, he said the heat makes him dizzy at times. King, in front of an industrial fan called &uot;Heat Buster&uot; that comes to his waist, said he would like to have bigger fans for employees.

He said he couldn’t help but take more breaks in the torturous heat. Goodyear supplies their employees with free water, soda machines and an air conditioned lounge.

Angelina Grain U.S. 15 Elevator Secretary Amy Henslee said the farm product warehousing and storage company provides electrolyte replacements and water for their employees who work in the heat. and

Their medical company, to ensure a healthy and safe work environment, provides the electrolyte replacements called Sustain.

According to MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (a service from the National Institutes of Health), electrolytes are vital for proper gland functioning, blood pressure and other bodily functions.

If fluids in the body are loss quickly, like from profuse sweating or dehydration, those electrolytes can become imbalanced. Electrolyte imbalance symptoms include fatigue, nausea and headaches, which if not treated can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Two tablets come in a package and employees can take as many as needed every hour.

Henslee said summer is one of the busiest seasons for the company, but the heat can wear out the employees. She said during more bearable temperatures the workers come in around 7 a.m. and leave when the work is finished, usually around 7 p.m. Henslee said because of the heat workers now try to end the day by 5 p.m.

&uot;These guys are wiped out by the end of the day,&uot; she said.

Henslee said the employees take advantage of the complementary replacements that she said are completely safe.

Unfortunately, Herman Beamer doesn’t have the luxury of electrolyte pills when he goes to work in the heat. An electrician, Beamer, took shade under Old Service Center car wash from a long day of work in the heat.

&uot;(The heat) makes me sick sometimes,&uot; Beamer said. He said strain from the heat gets so bad at the job, he has to rest in bed for a couple of days to adjust back to work. &uot;Sometimes I don’t want to come back to work, but I have to,&uot; he said.

Some days Beamer can’t escape the heat.

&uot;I was wringing wet yesterday,&uot; he said of the Sunday scorcher.

The only comforts from the heat for Beamer are fluids, a breeze and the shade. Beamer said he is tempted to cancel jobs because of the frustrating heat. &uot;It’s been so hot, but we need the money,&uot; he said.

Accuweather.com reports there will be a decrease in temperatures for the rest of the week with the highest temperature today at 93 degrees.