Brickies soldier on in heat hell

Brickies Jordan Ham and his Dad David cool off. Picture: Lee Griffith

With one of the hottest jobs in Perth, father and son David and Jordan Ham could be excused for joining other workers taking a sick day yesterday as temperatures hit 37.1C in the city and many people nursed hangovers from the Australia Day celebrations.

But the bricklayers soldiered on through Perth's fourth consecutive day over 35C, a heatwave which is forecast to continue tomorrow with a sizzling 42C.

Mr Ham said he and his son, who work in their family business D&C Ham, kept cool by wetting their hats and starting early so they could knock off before the heat was unbearable.

Working on the lift shaft for a three-storey mansion in Bicton yesterday, they were also able to duck down to the river for a dip during their lunch break.

Mr Ham said the dry heat didn't bother him too much.

"This year it's been pretty sweaty work because of the humidity," he said.

Weather Bureau spokesman John Relf said cloud cover meant yesterday's temperature dropped off a bit in the afternoon, but today was expected to be a scorcher with 42C forecast.

"It will be 34C on Sunday, which is still a pretty hot day, but after what we've had it will seem like a cool change," he said.

"There will be a brisk sea breeze as well, which will increase the fire danger risk no doubt, but will at least bring some relief."

Sports Medicine Australia WA warned sporting bodies to consider cancelling activities over the next few days or postponing them until cooler weather because of the danger of dehydration and heatstroke.

A Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesman said there was "no doubt" a higher number of workers than usual would have taken sick days yesterday to extend their Australia Day celebrations to the weekend.