Delivery drivers in Texas face an uphill battle in fighting for safer working conditions when it comes to extreme heat. A driver in El Paso recently died after working in the sun for several hours, prompting outcry from delivery workers in the region.
The National Weather Service in El Paso reported that the maximum temperature on the day of the driver’s death was 102 degrees. Delivery workers in the area have repeatedly decried the lack of proper safety equipment to protect them from the kind of heat that can make working unsafe. In July 2018, delivery driver David Lopez took legal action against the company he worked for, accusing them of failing to provide him with adequate safety equipment.
The danger of working in hot conditions is a real one, and the situation in El Paso is just part of a much bigger problem. Delivery workers all over Texas are struggling to protect themselves against extreme temperatures. In Texas the legal standard is that employers must provide workers with water, rest, and shade during times of suspected heat-related stress, but in reality, many employers ignore this regulation.
Even when they do provide workers with safety equipment, it may not be enough. Many companies fail to provide drivers with special heat-protective clothing or fail to maintain air-conditioned vehicles. In some cases, delivery workers may not even be aware of the dangers of hot conditions.
Delivery drivers in Texas are in desperate need of improved working conditions, and this recent tragedy should be a reminder that the fight for safety is far from over. With temperatures reaching up to 115 degrees in some parts of the state, delivery workers must be given better protection against the elements. It’s only when this happens that delivery drivers will have a fighting chance against the dangers of extreme heat.
