Construction crews around Chicago are planning ahead for the scorching heat Thursday.

The National Weather Service expects temperatures to top 100 degrees.

Mike Buchler and his crew are working at the Federal Plaza site on Wacker Drive. He and his crew are starting their workday a few hours earlier to beat the heat.  

He says he and his crew have a few tips for staying safe in the heat – drink lots of water, seek out the shade when possible and take breaks.

“Stay hydrated, that’s all,” Buchler said. “We’ve been doing this for many years, so we’re used to it.”

Dino Dipadova is working on the Wacker Drive reconstruction.

Dipadova and his fellow crewmembers are also arranging their work schedules around the hottest hours of the day.

“From five o’ clock to one o’ clock, then we’re outta here,” Dipadova said. “Nobody wants to get hurt or die out here, so we side on the side of caution and get outta here early before it gets too hot.”

Dipadova said the construction worker’s precautions are “just common sense.” But there’s one thing he’d like Chicago drivers to know: “Just slow down when you see us working in the streets, please.”

The high temperatures are expected to carry into the weekend.