EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — As triple-digit temperatures continue across the Borderland, one Lower Valley shaved ice business is taking extra steps to protect employees working in the heat while serving customers looking for relief.

Marlene Luna, owner of Shiver Shack Express, said the combination of summer temperatures and heat generated by the shop’s equipment can make working conditions echallenging.

“Honestly, I think it’s more like six more degrees than it is outside,” Luna said. “It’s just excruciatingly hot because the machines themselves are running all day.”

To help keep employees safe, Luna said the business recently added more fans and uses air conditioning inside the shop.

When temperatures become especially hot, staff temporarily shut down one of the soft-serve machines to reduce the amount of heat being produced.

“My employees come first,” Luna said. “We are trying to keep them hydrated. We make sure all the fans are on, and if it does get extremely hot, we turn off one of our soft-serve machines so it’s not generating so much heat.”

Employees are also encouraged to drink plenty of water and take breaks in shaded areas outside if needed.

Destiny Venecia reports on how one El Paso ice cream shop is adapting to the extreme heat.

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Employee Leanne Jensen said staying ahead of the heat starts before each shift.

“I always keep BodyArmor and Liquid I.V. with me,” Jensen said.

Jensen said employees typically work shorter shifts and focus on staying hydrated throughout the day.

“I only work about five hours at a time, so we make sure we’re not here too long to overheat,” Jensen said. “You’ve got to hydrate at night and during the day.”

While the hot weather creates more difficult working conditions, the silver lining is, Luna said, that the weather has also increased business as people look for ways to cool off.

“The heat has brought in more families,” Luna said. “We’re experiencing more family flow and drive-through flow. We offer pup cups, so people are bringing their dogs to the window. The whole family is coming out to cool off and get some ice cream.”

Luna said she encourages other businesses with outdoor or hot working environments to prioritize employee safety by providing cooling measures, encouraging hydration, and making sure workers speak up if they begin feeling the effects of the heat.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to make sure these employees are safe,” Luna said.

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