| You probably know that delivery drivers work in extreme heat. It was a big topic of the labor union negotiations between the Teamsters and UPS in the summer of 2023. One of the outcomes was a contract promising air conditioning in the cabs of all newly purchased UPS vans. But the driver’s seat isn’t the hot spot. The rear areas of traditional courier vans across the industry are not air conditioned, and in summer sun and humidity they heat up since they’re essentially just big, metal boxes. One driver in central Florida told me his truck’s cargo area reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 Celsius) on the hottest days, according to an infrared grilling thermometer he brings with him. You might be thinking, what’s the big deal about the back of the truck? Don’t drivers spend most of their time in the driver’s seat? Not so much. Depending on how well the van was loaded, a driver might need a minute or more to search for the right package for that stop. And if a stop has multiple deliveries, like at an apartment building, the time adds up as drivers load up carts with parcels. “Honestly I just want more airflow in the back,” wrote one Reddit user on a forum for UPS workers. “When you look for packages you feel like dying.” Extreme heat adds additional stress to the body as it tries to keep cool. Douglas Casa, CEO of the Korey Stringer Institute at the University of Connecticut who consults with UPS and other companies on their heat safety programs, described the effects as a simple fraction. Blood pumping throughout the body is the numerator; the heart, muscles and other organs are denominators. Add heat and the numerator decreases as dehydration reduces blood volume, while the denominator increases as blood flow to the skin increases to keep cool. As the overall number gets smaller, the risk of heatstroke goes up. Preventative measures include hydration, cooling gear, acclimatization to heat and adequate rest, said Casa, though overall fitness is most important. In response to questions for this piece, UPS directed me to their heat safety programs for workers. The company says it’s invested nearly $2 billion over the last five years on safety training and provided a long list of precautions it’s taken, including installing thousands of ice machines and water fountains at its facilities and providing specialized cooling gear to drivers and hub workers. A FedEx spokesperson said that company’s vehicles have air conditioning, and its contractors with their own vehicles are contractually obligated to comply with all laws related to safe operation. “Safety is always our priority, and we encourage our team members and service providers across FedEx to take precautions in the hot weather by staying hydrated, taking frequent breaks and recognizing the signs of heat-related illnesses,” the spokesperson said. Education about heat safety is one of the most important measures that companies can take, said Casa. For delivery drivers, that’s even more important because, unlike workers in a construction site or on an airport tarmac, they work alone all day. In other work environments, “if someone's starting to wobble or getting a little lightheaded or slow to respond or a little groggy or temperamental or different than usual, colleagues might notice,” said Casa. “I think that’s what's so unique in this industry is that they’re by themselves.” — Cailley LaPara | 
