How Delivery Drivers Can Stay Safe During a Heat Wave

A regular summer day already puts a delivery associate in and out of a hot vehicle dozens of times. During a heat wave, that vehicle's interior temperature climbs well past outdoor temperatures within minutes of parking. A delivery driver returning to a cab that's been sitting directly under the sun risks facing heat-related illness and even heat stroke.

Heat safety for drivers matters because the physical demands don't stop at the temperature. You still have to load packages, walk to doors, stand in the sun while you wait for the client, and sometimes climb stairs to reach a unit. If you treat extreme heat like a regular part of the day, you risk finishing your route dehydrated or with a heat-related illness that could've been prevented with some prep.

Checking the forecast before you leave the house is how you know what you're heading into. That gives you time to pack the essential gear for delivery drivers during a hot day:

• Water: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommend drinking water before you feel thirsty on hot days. If you feel thirsty, that means your body's already running low. They also recommend drinking water below 60°F because your body absorbs it faster. Fill a large insulated bottle before you leave and keep it within reach throughout the day.

• Sun protection: Applying sunscreen on all exposed skin before you get in the van helps reduce the effects of direct sunlight that builds throughout a full day of deliveries. A lightweight, light-colored shirt reduces heat absorption compared to darker fabrics.

• Cooling towels: A wet cooling towel around the neck between stops drops your temperature faster than shade alone. Keep one in a small cooler or insulated bag in the cab.

• Electrolyte drinks: Water covers most of your hydration needs on a hot day. If you're sweating heavily for several hours, an electrolyte drink can help replace what water alone doesn't.

Before leaving the DSP, check the vehicle's tires, coolant, air conditioning, and windshield washer fluid. Sustained heat affects all of them, and the last thing you want is a mechanical problem in the middle of a route. Drivers who build that check on top of their summer driving safety tips avoid the kind of problems that leave others stranded in the heat.

Don’t forget your electronics

A vehicle's interior temperature can climb around 20°F within the first ten minutes of parking in direct sun, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A phone left on the dashboard between stops reaches temperatures that trigger automatic shutdown, which stops you from scanning packages and following your route. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight between stops or bring it with you.

Staying safe is more of an ongoing effort than something you do before you leave the station. OSHA and NIOSH recommend drinking about one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes rather than waiting until you're thirsty. Follow these tips to stay safe on a hot day:

• Stay hydrated: Keep your water bottle in the cab where you can reach it without getting out. Getting into the habit of drinking at every stop is a great way to stay consistent throughout the day.

• Slow down on heavy tasks: Loading packages and climbing stairs raise your core temperature on top of the weather's effect. If you push through at your normal pace on a heat wave day, you might accumulate heat faster than your body can manage.

• Look for shade between stops: A few minutes of rest in the shade gives your body a chance to recover before the next one.

• Adjust for walking routes: Delivery drivers on foot don't have air conditioning to reset, so body temperature just keeps increasing throughout the day. Take frequent water breaks and don't push yourself for too long to make these days manageable.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two different conditions that require two different responses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NIOSH, you need to recognize which one you or someone near you is experiencing to decide what to do next:

• Heat exhaustion: Symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, and elevated body temperature. Move to a cool area, sip cool water, apply a cold compress, and get a medical evaluation if symptoms don't improve quickly.

• Heat stroke: Symptoms include confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, hot dry skin or profuse sweating, and seizures. Call 911 immediately, move to the shade, and apply ice or cold water to the head, neck, armpits, and groin while waiting for help.

Staying safe during a heat wave mostly takes some preparation and consistency. Delivery drivers who drink water at every stop, check their vehicle before leaving your DSP’s designated location, take frequent breaks, and pack a cooling towel are the ones who make it through unscathed. These habits don't take long to build, but they make a huge difference. An insulated water bottle and a cooling towel are the kind of delivery tools that improve efficiency and pay off the most when the heat hits hardest.

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