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“120+ Temperatures”: UPS Drivers Demand Change After Showing Heat Levels In Their Trucks
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“120+ Temperatures”: UPS Drivers Demand Change After Showing Heat Levels In Their Trucks

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Recently, United Parcel Service (UPS) drivers have begun sharing pictures of sweltering temperature readings well above 100F (38C) from inside their delivery trucks. In a viral tweet shared by Teamsters for a Democratic Union, workers show thermometers reaching 116F, 117F, and 121F — working conditions that are far from what is considered safe. “UPS CEOs would never accept working in 120- or 130-degree offices. Drivers shouldn’t either,” wrote the grassroots movement of the union representing UPS truck drivers.

Apparently, most of these trucks lack air conditioning, putting employees at risk of heat-related injuries. Delivering parcels at record-high heat levels amid scorching weather on the East Coast and the central United States, drivers have set out to inform everyone about the circumstances they are forced to work in, as well as spark a debate about their safety and protection.

Teamsters Union is campaigning for action, calling for changes like providing fans in every vehicle. Meanwhile, drivers are taking to Twitter to share how difficult it is to make it through the summer heatwave, and people are revealing how it affects their deliveries. Scroll down to read the insights and reactions Twitter users shared online, and be sure to weigh in on the situation in the comments.

UPS drivers have been sharing photos of triple-digit heat recorded in their trucks with no air conditioning

Image credits: Mike Mozart

The extreme conditions they have to endure sparked a conversation about driver safety and heat protection on Twitter

Image credits: notcapnamerica

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Image credits: notcapnamerica

Image credits: notcapnamerica

In a viral tweet, drivers show thermometer readings of 116F, 117F, and 121F amid record-breaking temperatures

Image credits: TeamsterRnF

Image credits: notcapnamerica

Image credits: notcapnamerica

Since workers are experiencing heat stroke and other heat-related injuries, people are calling for action

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Image credits: elliotrlewis

Image credits: ItsReallyWendy

As several states experience extremely hot summers, workers who have to endure the heat are increasingly struggling to manage their way through it. According to Adiel Kaplan, a reporter with the NBC News Investigative Unit, more workers seem to be getting sick or hospitalized because of the heat this year than the ones before. “Left and right, people are falling out,” a union steward in Dallas, Jeff Schenfeld, told NBC News. “Something is different this year. It’s a lot more people.”

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But after UPS posted record earnings last year, it installed cameras in its delivery trucks yet decided to ignore changing heat safety protocols. Unfortunately, in June, a young UPS driver died just after his 24th birthday after he collapsed while delivering packages in Los Angeles, the family suspected heat stroke to be the cause. This event reignited questions about the company’s priorities, making employees demand that more safety measures be put in place.

“UPS hasn’t been proactive at all on the topic of heat, and that’s going to have to change,” said Sean M. O’Brien, general president of the union, the Teamsters. “By refusing to implement these safety measures, the company is literally sending drivers out to die in the heat.”

The Teamsters issued a public letter requiring UPS to immediately take action to improve safety for its employees, from installing fans in every truck to providing cool neck towels and consistent supplies of water and ice.

However, the UPS spokesperson told Insider that the company invests over $260 million per year in safety programs: “UPS drivers are trained to work outdoors and to manage the effects of hot weather. Preparation, rest, hydration, and maintaining good health practices are key to working outdoors.”

“We also offer our employees multiple ways to share their concerns with us, and we promptly address issues when they are brought to our attention,” the spokesperson continued. “We never want our employees to continue working to the point that they risk their health or work in an unsafe manner.”

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But heat illness only seems to be a bigger risk for UPS employees as the temperatures keep rising. Previously, UPS vice president of public relations, Steve Gaut, told NBC News that the company does not air-condition its fleet of package trucks “because frequent stops and the size of the vehicles would render air conditioning ineffective.” This is the same reason they don’t use AC in large warehouses.

According to Mayo Clinic, heat stroke usually occurs when your body is overheating and is the result of prolonged exposure to or doing physical activities in higher temperatures. It is the most serious form of heat injury that is common during the summer months, and it happens once your body temperature rises to 104F (40C) or higher.

“Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles. The damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing your risk of serious complications or death,” Mayo Clinic stated.

Twitter users and delivery workers came forward to share their reactions, here’s what they had to say

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florapolvado_1 avatar
Catlady6000
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just waiting to hear about the lawsuit that will eventually occur when a UPS driver passes out from heat and wipes out a few cars and mini vans on an interstate

prettywoman38 avatar
Tonia Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, one already passed out in Las Vegas while delivered a package. He passed out on the porch of where he was delivering from heat exhaustion! Just unbelievable!

Load More Replies...
mr-garyscott avatar
El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although there's a minimum temperature, in the Factories Act there isn't a maximum. For 'outside operators' there is neither. But also please note that 'surface temperature' isn't remotely the same as air temperature..

karlkuglin avatar
enohPilivE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, that 150 degree thermometer was the surface temp on the canvas top of the trailer/truck.

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stellalehggs avatar
StellaLehggs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the obvious danger to the drivers, I feel like temperatures like that could ruin some of the products, too. If UPS doesn't care enough about the drivers to install AC, shouldn't they care about the product?

aathomps avatar
Just me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES - especially those of us whose insurance requires mail order medication!

Load More Replies...
dina_zikopoulos avatar
Dina Zikopoulos
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i'm feeling anxiety for these drivers! just thinking about how they must be suffering....FFS....

pmeaux811 avatar
Winna stax
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those fans aren't helpful... Feels like a hairdryer blowing warm air.

nickanderson_1 avatar
Nick Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drove for FedEx for 4 years. All the 110+ Temps taken from the back of the truck are completely normal and really nothing to shake a stick at. It gets unbelievably hot in the back of those things, but you spend as little time as possible back there because you're always in a rush. I had air conditioning in my truck (I had a great contractor) and the back would easily break 130-140. Just wanted to clarify there's a huge difference between the back and the cabin of the trucks.

prettywoman38 avatar
Tonia Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats just unbelievable to me that they have these drivers riding around with no A/C in their trucks . I live in Florida and right now temperatures are at an all time high !! Companies like this need to be ashamed of themselves! Let the CEO drive one of those trucks for a day and see how he does !

sueuser avatar
Sue User
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where the heck is OSHA ( Occupational Safety and Health Agency )?

garethbaus avatar
Gareth Baus
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work for UPS loading, and the trailers got really hot during the summer, I adapted to it, but I was also in my early 20s and relatively healthy. It usually takes an insanely long time to become a full time employee or driver for UPS so many of the people driving the trucks are getting older and developing health problems.

tzhernadi avatar
Tyler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang, I remember hearing about this back in summer 2020! Sad that its still happening

kevincampphoto avatar
Kevin Camp
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Everyone dipping 1500F metal from a melting furnace to make castings and every road construction worker laying 200F asphalt under the sun without shade is saying man up.

asteidl14 avatar
Disgruntled Pelican
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes. The old "it happens in other industries that have nothing to do with the industry in question so man up" BS. People like you are awful. No driver should be subjected to being in a vehicle without so much as a fan and if you can't see that, then it speaks volumes about you.

Load More Replies...
florapolvado_1 avatar
Catlady6000
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just waiting to hear about the lawsuit that will eventually occur when a UPS driver passes out from heat and wipes out a few cars and mini vans on an interstate

prettywoman38 avatar
Tonia Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, one already passed out in Las Vegas while delivered a package. He passed out on the porch of where he was delivering from heat exhaustion! Just unbelievable!

Load More Replies...
mr-garyscott avatar
El Dee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Although there's a minimum temperature, in the Factories Act there isn't a maximum. For 'outside operators' there is neither. But also please note that 'surface temperature' isn't remotely the same as air temperature..

karlkuglin avatar
enohPilivE
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, that 150 degree thermometer was the surface temp on the canvas top of the trailer/truck.

Load More Replies...
stellalehggs avatar
StellaLehggs
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Besides the obvious danger to the drivers, I feel like temperatures like that could ruin some of the products, too. If UPS doesn't care enough about the drivers to install AC, shouldn't they care about the product?

aathomps avatar
Just me
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YES - especially those of us whose insurance requires mail order medication!

Load More Replies...
dina_zikopoulos avatar
Dina Zikopoulos
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i'm feeling anxiety for these drivers! just thinking about how they must be suffering....FFS....

pmeaux811 avatar
Winna stax
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those fans aren't helpful... Feels like a hairdryer blowing warm air.

nickanderson_1 avatar
Nick Anderson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Drove for FedEx for 4 years. All the 110+ Temps taken from the back of the truck are completely normal and really nothing to shake a stick at. It gets unbelievably hot in the back of those things, but you spend as little time as possible back there because you're always in a rush. I had air conditioning in my truck (I had a great contractor) and the back would easily break 130-140. Just wanted to clarify there's a huge difference between the back and the cabin of the trucks.

prettywoman38 avatar
Tonia Lee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats just unbelievable to me that they have these drivers riding around with no A/C in their trucks . I live in Florida and right now temperatures are at an all time high !! Companies like this need to be ashamed of themselves! Let the CEO drive one of those trucks for a day and see how he does !

sueuser avatar
Sue User
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Where the heck is OSHA ( Occupational Safety and Health Agency )?

garethbaus avatar
Gareth Baus
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to work for UPS loading, and the trailers got really hot during the summer, I adapted to it, but I was also in my early 20s and relatively healthy. It usually takes an insanely long time to become a full time employee or driver for UPS so many of the people driving the trucks are getting older and developing health problems.

tzhernadi avatar
Tyler
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dang, I remember hearing about this back in summer 2020! Sad that its still happening

kevincampphoto avatar
Kevin Camp
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Everyone dipping 1500F metal from a melting furnace to make castings and every road construction worker laying 200F asphalt under the sun without shade is saying man up.

asteidl14 avatar
Disgruntled Pelican
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ah yes. The old "it happens in other industries that have nothing to do with the industry in question so man up" BS. People like you are awful. No driver should be subjected to being in a vehicle without so much as a fan and if you can't see that, then it speaks volumes about you.

Load More Replies...
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