RENTON, Wash. — Despite soaring summer temperatures across Washington, many residents are still working outdoors, pushing through the heat because their jobs demand it.

At a home in Renton on Tuesday afternoon, Sean Sternberg and his crew from Adaptive Roofing replaced a roof under scorching conditions. Sternberg, the company’s owner, called the heat “oppressive” and said temperatures on the roof can reach 110 to 120 degrees — conditions he believes “humans are not really meant to work in.”

Roofing companies like Sternberg’s typically earn most of their income during the summer, which puts pressure on crews to finish projects.

“Roofing companies typically make around three quarters of their money in the summer,” said Sternberg. “So, we want to be working as much as we can. It kind of pu

See Full Page