It's a hot job, but someone has to do it.
As people head back to work after the Christmas break, many will be heading back to the office in summer surrounded by the comfort of air conditioning.
But for those forced to work outdoors as the mercury rises, the warmer months can be the most challenging with temperatures nudging more than 40 degrees.
Among the many workers out there sweltering in the Canberra heat this summer are the more than 200 city services staff maintaining parks and public areas across the city.
Transport Canberra and City Services director of place management Brian Bathgate said the summer period was among their busiest of the year.
"Over the Christmas shutdown, we have crews working the whole way through, cleaning barbecues and keeping public toilets clean and cutting the trees and the grass," Mr Bathgate said.
"It's busy for us because public barbecues sit empty for a lot of the year, and at this time of year, the demand for open spaces skyrockets as people celebrate the festive season."
The hundreds of staff have been working throughout the holiday period to help clean public areas at almost 120 places across Canberra.
A further 50 people will be carrying out tree maintenance and care during that time.
However, the hotter-than average conditions and the drought has forced a cut back to some of the services that the city services staff conduct at this time of year.
"There's been not much rain at all, so we've scaled back mowing work," Mr Bathgate said. "We're only doing it as needs, not a full-pelt program like we have done in other years."
For those who have to work outside during the warmer months, such as construction workers, employees have been advised to limit their exposure to the heat if possible.
While there is no temperature limit as to when all work must stop outdoors, a spokesman for WorkSafe ACT said workplaces needed to manage the situation for staff on a case-by-case basis.
UnionsACT secretary Alex White said the extreme heat was a cause for concern for outdoor workers.
"There is more to working in heat than just the temperature and the health impacts can be very serious," he said.
Access to hats, sunscreen, shade and plenty of water were among the key tips for workers having to brave the hot weather.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast a low-intensity heatwave to hit the capital in coming days through until the new year.
A top of 37 is forecast for Saturday with smoke haze from bushfires burning to the east of Canberra set to exacerbate hot conditions further
The temperature is expected to remain in the high 30s until at least Thursday next week.
A high of 35 and cloudy conditions are forecast for Sunday before the sunny weather returns with a top of 38 on Monday.
New Year's Eve will mostly be similar with a high of 37 and a low of 22.
