UPS drivers record temperatures above 100F in trucks without air conditioning

[Jilly_in_VA]

UPS delivery truck drivers have begun sharing pictures showing the sweltering temperatures recorded inside their vans as communities across the US continue to experience record-breaking temperatures.

In a viral tweet shared by Teamsters for a Democratic Union drivers posted pictures of thermometers inside trucks reaching 116F (47C), 117F and 121F – temperatures far above what is considered safe. UPS trucks do not have air conditioning.

“UPS CEOs would never accept working in 120- or 130-degree offices. Drivers shouldn’t either,” tweeted Teamsters for a Democratic Union, a group of members with Teamsters, the union representing UPS truck drivers.

In June, a young UPS driver died just after his 24th birthday after he collapsed while delivering packages in Los Angeles. His family believe he died of heatstroke.

A few weeks later, a homeowner in Scottsdale, Arizona, where temperatures have topped 110F, released dramatic doorbell camera footage of a UPS driver collapsing on his front porch right after delivering a package. The unnamed driver got up after collapsing and staggered back to his truck.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/aug/03/ups-drivers-trucks-heat-temperatures

The summer I worked in Fredericksburg I took care of a UPS driver who got heatstroke. This is no joke, folks.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. When work is a sauna there is no reason to join the gym

or go to Sweden

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. UPS driver just left here. The back of that truck was an oven and the cab not much better.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. My Dad Drove A Truck...

...in the era before heavy trucks had A/C.
Hot days were brutal on him. Even when he was still in his 30s.
By the 80s, the truck had A/C, but he'd been driving for nearly 30 years by then.
I'm quite surprised those trucks don't have A/C. Hard to believe ups would save that much money by buying trucks without it.
Pretty shortsighted.

[Kali]

4. they should get some kind of indoor AC breaks

but the reality of the job is they are in and out of the vehicle constantly and out in the horrible temps unloading/delivering a lot. I mean some of the more rural areas they may have longer on the road driving distances. but in town? not sure AC is going to be the full answer.

I know heat stress and you are right, no joke. once you have been overheated like that you have to be even more careful.

[brush]

11. Of course the trucks should have AC, even if the drivers...

are in and out on their routs. It's just common sense and humane management to make sure your employees have tolerable working conditions.

I mean if drivers are collapsing, passing out and even dying from working in heat box trucks...I mean come on. Sooner or later there will be lawsuits.

[Kali]

15. if the drivers think that will help, then I am all for it.

but anybody who lives where is always hot will tell you when you are getting in and out of a vehicle constantly it is cooler to just leave the windows open. AC in a vehicle is good when you are sitting in traffic or driving a distance, but if you are opening the door constantly and getting in and out (and walking back and forth carrying packages) it really doesn't help much and burns through fuel much faster.

[Jilly_in_VA]

16. One of my other-kids

drove for UPS for awhile. He said he drove with the doors open in hot weather (and Tennessee heat is no joke either because it's humid and 90s in the summers) and he said that didn't help much. He kept bandannas soaking in his ice chest and put them around his neck, but still, on really hot days, he'd just come home and about pass out.

[Kali]

17. wet bandanas work great in a dry climate

probably make you feel worse when it is humid

[Earth-shine]

5. My packages often arrive hot.

[mwooldri]

6. If it can be afforded...

... a portable swamp cooler (don't wanna advertise but Google "icybreeze" ) might be something to consider. Thankfully my truck has AC.

[sop]

7. When a UPS driver passes out while driving, killing several people, the punitive damages will be

astronomical. While in college I worked during one summer in a UPS warehouse unloading 18-wheelers. The warehouse and the interiors of the trailers were ovens. I saw guys pass out from the heat. Management didn't care. They're a bunch of slave drivers.

[Johnny2X2X]

8. I worked a job briefly one Summer in a rubber molding plant (140 degrees)

Basically took pieces of metal and melted rubber around them to create little engine mounts for the auto industry. You worked on these basically giant waffle maker like contraptions. You'd place the metal in the mold, add a lug of rubber, pull the top down, and it would melt the rubber around the metal, then you'd release it and have to pull the parts off the mold. You'd have to wear 3 or 4 gloves on each hand to protect you from burns. We had a heat wave, the thermometer on the shop floor was 140 degrees. It was insane, and it was 10 hour shifts. And to get the parts to slide off the mold, we used cooking oil to spray it down, if you got cooking oil on your skin, it was so hot the oil would burn you. I rubbed my sleeve on my forehead and got oil all over it, left a bad burn that scabbed up. I'd literally drink 2 gallons of water a shift. All for $7.27 an hour. Even if there was no heat, it was an insanely physical job that left your muscles sore.

And you want to know what the craziest part about the job was? The station next to mine's operator was a short young woman...who was about 8 months pregnant. She was outworking me, in 140 degree heat, at a job that took a ton of physical strength, while 8 months pregnant.

It was then that I decided college was probably a better option.

[Kansaskid]

9. UPS orders

I have delayed ordering anything until the heat breaks. I would feel responsible if someone died or became ill delivering my package. I know that not everyone can do this. It is my personal decision.

[underpants]

10. Gas and time are their main concerns/costs

UPS doesn’t make left turns unless the route doesn’t warrant two trucks. Left turns take time and that burns gas too. AC burns gas obviously so the trucks don’t have it.

Not excuses. That’s just their model.

Oh and we own stock in UPS.

[brush]

12. With climate change bringing previously unprecedented...

heatwaves which will probably continue,UPS,FEDEX, DHS, AMAZON and all the other delivery services are going to have to make changes. AC in their trucks costs money, so they make a little less money. Sooner of later there will be lawuits from drivers collapsing, passing out, dying even. Legislation will eventually result in the companies not providing safe working conditions.

I don't care if it's their business model now, that model will have to change.

[underpants]

13. Oh I agree. BTW a lot of Fed Ex drivers aren't actually employees

The sell out their routes and the vendor then does the hiring benefits etc. UPS continually lobbies to get laws passed making Fed Ex hire their people. Of course Fed Ex lobbies back.

[SWBTATTReg]

14. And it's not just UPS vehicles either. My work vehicle for SWBT (southwestern bell telephone)

didn't have AC either, and at the time, I was stationed in KS. I was so happy when I got a break, to stop by the local McDonald's, and have a cool off break.

[Calculating]

18. This is all about money

Probably they want to save on gas by not including ac. Imo they'll get sued when someone dies and then have to add ac, which will cost them more than just adding it to begin with.