Weather conditions don't stop some from working outside

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – As the winter weather advisory continues throughout Kentuckiana, it's the negative temperatures that we have to look forward to, but even the below zero wind chills don't stop a lot of people from having to work outside.

You can't be outside too long before it gets dangerous. A lot of employers understand that and are making sure their employees take precautions.

"I like the challenge of a weather event like this," said Dennis Marsee, a United States Postal Service letter carrier. "It becomes game time."

It's all about the mindset for Marsee. He's worked for the postal service for nearly 31 years, so a little snow and cold won't stop him now.

"Today I am kind of doubling up to get ahead of things," Marsee said. "They are pulling us off the street early today because of the wind chill advisory."

In the meantime, a good pair of boots and a lot of layers are the key.

"These rain pants cut the wind and also cover the top of the boot so snow doesn't get in," Marsee said.

And he moves quickly.

"You actually generate more body heat having to power through the snow, so at my base layer I'm actually sweating," Marsee said.

Marsee isn't the only one working in the elements this week.

Ohio River Bridges construction must go on, but for the last few days it's been very limited. No one will be going up 150 feet in the air to work on the Downtown Crossing in these conditions.

"Imagine that up in the air and not only that, but with the high winds that we are having, it just wouldn't be safe to have the cranes operating, they have a vertical to get where they are going," said Mindy Peterson, the spokeswoman for the Ohio River Bridges Project.

Overnight work has also been halted.

Not too far away at The Seelbach Hotel, bellhops were staying busy. Ben Eiden said he didn't mind the weather too much and the tips have been pretty good because of it.

"They are," Eiden said. "We've been really lucky today. We've had quite a few generous guests go above and beyond, so we are very appreciative of that."

As for the deadline of the Downtown Crossing, while taking a week off is not ideal, officials say safety is the priority. Peterson said there are buffer days to the schedule and with some extra shifts they will make the deadline of January 2016 happen.

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