Do UPS trucks have heat? That’s the question some delivery drivers are asking this week, as they share images of temperature readings inside their trucks. The Teamsters for a Democratic Union posted a series of three photos of a thermometer, each showing the driver’s face as he cranked the handle. While these pictures show the driver’s body temperature, the real question is: Do UPS trucks have heat?
In order to address these problems, UPS must first provide fans in every truck. However, this means drivers must request these fans. Similarly, UPS could provide ice machines and water to all drivers who request them. Workers should also be provided with more protective gear to avoid being harmed by heat and humidity. These measures would go a long way in keeping drivers healthy and productive, and may help prevent the deaths of drivers.
The heat inside UPS trucks has caused 78 hospitalizations in the last four years. Most of these were among the company’s 74,000 delivery truck drivers. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), 78 out of 107 heat-related workplace injuries resulted in death, a hospitalization or even permanent disability. It’s not clear what caused the deaths, but it’s certainly not the truck’s fault.
Do UPS Trucks Have Air Conditioning in Them?
The heat inside of a UPS truck is deadly. Two drivers have collapsed while on the job in June, one of which died after falling unconscious inside his truck for 20 minutes. While UPS has tried to address this issue, many drivers are still concerned about the heat. Drivers have posed the question on social media, and one answered with a simple reply: “I wish my UPS trucks had air conditioning. They are the most dangerous jobs in the country.”
However, UPS does not plan to install air conditioning in its fleet of trucks anytime soon. Air conditioning is expensive, and frequent stops render it ineffective. This problem is so widespread that drivers have started an online petition to ask the company to install A/C in its delivery fleet. Despite the overwhelming response, a UPS representative insists that there are no plans to air condition its delivery fleet. It is not yet clear how the company will address this issue in the future.
How Do Delivery Drivers Stay Cool?
The rising temperatures are putting a huge strain on the health of UPS delivery drivers. In the last four years, UPS delivery drivers have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses, according to data from the federal and state worker safety agencies. In fact, 107 UPS delivery drivers have been hospitalized for heat illness since 2015.
Because UPS trucks do not have air conditioning, drivers are required to keep a constant supply of water with them. The driver should also pack water bottles and a wet towel for the hot summer months. NBC News reported that in Las Vegas, the temperature was 114.8 degrees. If the driver continues to work in such hot conditions, he or she could suffer cramping, seizures, or blood pressure drops and even shut down his or her organs. Some drivers have even fainted while on the job or while visiting a convenience store.
In recent years, UPS has implemented a program called Cool Solutions to educate their workers about the symptoms of heat illness. This program also reminds drivers to seek shade when they feel unwell and to report to their supervisor immediately. The company has no plans to air condition its package trucks, but they are still encouraging drivers to wear water bottles, cooling neck towels, and proper uniform material for hot weather. The Teamsters are also pushing for additional breaks.
Why Do UPS Trucks Have No Doors?
You may have ever wondered why UPS trucks have no doors. This is not a new feature; it is simply the design of the truck. While the doors are usually sliding rather than swinging open, UPS trucks are not equipped with air conditioning. Therefore, drivers are forced to keep the doors open during warmer weather. The trucks are also called package cars, which explains why their brown color is dubbed Pullman brown. But why do UPS trucks have no doors?
The UPS trucks are divided into three categories – conventional cab, modern cab and semi-conventional. Conventional cab trucks are non-air-conditioned, and leave the doors open to allow air into the vehicle. They are equipped with sensors that monitor seat belt buckles and door openings. The data from these sensors is then used to improve the efficiency of UPS deliveries. If your package is temperature sensitive, UPS offers temperature-sensitive delivery services.
Why Do UPS Trucks Not Turn Left?
You might be wondering why UPS trucks don’t turn left. Apparently, UPS drivers have a rule of not making left turns. Apparently, left turns waste fuel and cause accidents. The rule is based on data, which UPS has used for decades. The result: UPS delivery trucks make more stops per hour. However, the policy isn’t effective for all drivers. In some cities, UPS drivers can cause accidents because they turn left in one lane.
The first reason why UPS trucks don’t turn left is because they have to wait in traffic and risk being side swiped by another vehicle. UPS has also discovered that driving in a left direction reduces delays and safety hazards, which are both costly. The company says its algorithm reduces fuel consumption by 20 million miles per year and reduces accidents by 10%. Then, they can use the right turn at a traffic intersection.
The policy has been in place for decades, and UPS claims that it has saved over three hundred million gallons of fuel and 100,000 tons of CO2 per year. The company also claims that it will use three million fewer trucks if all trucks avoid left-hand turns. But, it may be an illusion. After all, the company has already saved so much fuel that it is reducing the number of trucks.
How Do Truckers Stay Warm at Night?
A good sleeping bag is a necessity for a trucker, especially when the temperature drops below freezing. A hooded sleeping bag can prevent cold spots. It’s also an excellent choice if you’re driving long distances at night. Aside from sleeping bags, truckers can also invest in warm liquids to stay hydrated and warm. Moreover, sleeping is just as important as staying warm.
To make the inside of a truck warm and cozy, truckers can spend their breaks in their sleeping spaces. They can fill the spaces with thick blankets. Then, they can store them when not in use. A heated mattress pad is also a good investment. The drivers also sleep in their trucks during rush hour in major cities. Lastly, they should take advantage of the 70-hour-limit for driving during winter.
Unlike other drivers, truckers are used to working outdoors in warm weather. They rarely spend any extended time in the truck and don’t stay inside it for long. In hotter weather, they’re not required to remain in the truck. As a precautionary measure, UPS drivers are trained to shout the UPS name if they’re caught by a suspicious dog. Besides, the company has handheld devices that track dangerous dogs.
How Do UPS Drivers Deal with Heat?
The heat wave that started on July 19 and lasted six days was a record-breaking event in many parts of the country. Across the country, temperatures hit 90 degrees, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that over one thousand workers will die this year from heat-related illnesses. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that about four hundred deaths will occur by the year 2020 due to heat-related illnesses. As temperatures rise in the summer, temperatures in UPS trucks can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit inside the cargo compartment, compounding the stresses on drivers.
Despite the alarming statistics, UPS has been remarkably responsive to the demands of its employees. For instance, UPS should provide fans in every truck, but the drivers must request them. There are several options for addressing heat-related illnesses at the company, such as providing ice machines or water and offering better protective gear. Teamsters have also called for better water and ice dispensers on trucks and more drivers. These changes would help keep UPS drivers comfortable and productive.
How Can I Keep My Truck Cool Without AC?
Most drivers have been asking, “How can I keep my UPS truck cool without AC?” and they’re looking for a solution. The fact is that the heat in UPS trucks is so oppressive that it can seriously affect the drivers’ health. A recent study shows that 43 people died from heat illnesses on the job in 2019 and more than 2,400 were injured. While these deaths are unfortunate, the fact remains that workers everywhere need better protections from oppressive heat, and UPS drivers need air conditioning in their trucks.
There’s one major drawback to running a UPS truck without AC: extreme heat and humidity. The cargo area can reach 150 degrees. The result is that drivers risk heat-related illness and even heatstroke. NBC recently analyzed the data and found that 107 UPS employees were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses in 23 states. One driver died of heatstroke in California and collapsed in Arizona.
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