Possible driver death due to heat

[Catatonic]

I'm in an area of Florida where the heat index gets close to 110 and the humidity is insane for 9 months of the year. You learn to drink water way before start time and keep drinking water after you punch out in those months. During the insane heat times, I couldn't care about numbers or production, I'll usually drink water at each stop whether with a bottle in the cab, or a huge hug with ice in the back.

Know your limits, cold towels and cold water on your arteries points will cool down fast. I alternate water and Gatorade. Also a very cold can of low sodium V-8 will replenish all the stuff you're sweating out. My wife hates the summers because I go through so many shirts in a day.

I don't care if a supervisor is yelling or screaming at me about useless metrics, in the heat my safety and health come first. I recognize when I've gone too far and I'll stop in some AC and catch myself. Any union steward worth his weight in gold when have a field day with management if they got on a driver for hydrating or cooling down in the heat. It's in UPS's own safety methods. They love contradicting themselves but a good steward usually points that out.

I like this post ... common sense and taking control of your own safety. Kudos.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

That's where pull over comes in ... ???

Some of those narrow country roads do not have a good safe spot to pull over. Just got to use a little common sense.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

I like this post ... common sense and taking control of your own safety. Kudos.

Well? Why didn't you give it a Like?.

 

[Catatonic]

They used to install cup holders in old trucks if you wrote it up on DVIR.

A Gatorade bottle fit behind the instrument panel on most trucks I drove and if not, I found a place.
Both doors open and I often would chain the back door down and wedge a piece of wood to draw in air ( and unfortunately dust).
You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[Catatonic]

It would be a funny thread if we weren't handing those idiots volume on a silver platter.

To UpState's point.

 

[moldsporh]

I bet 90% of the public doesn't realize we don't have AC, let alone the temps we deal with.

I can tolerate 110 to 120 deg in the back, when it's nearing 140 and passing 140 there are serious health hazards, even at 110 deg.

 

[Turdferguson]

Once you get past a point, you don't understand it.
I've played in tennis tournaments for 40 years and almost every tournament heat and dehydration takes someone down.
I know from experience in my 40's.
I did not understand.
The first thing I remembered was waking up with a couple of paramedics around me giving me IVs to hydrate.

Wuss.

 

[Catatonic]

Agreed. This is why I work at my pace, not according to their expectations. When you quit worrying about their metrics and work according to your own abilities, the stress level goes down immensely. Every day, I do the best that I can do.

Maybe you aren't a dumb mother trucker!

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

Maybe you aren't a dumb mother trucker!

Who is he then?

 

[Catatonic]

Well? Why didn't you give it a Like?.

Because I "Agree"(d) with it and wanted to like it too.

 

[IVE GOTTA PACKAGE 4U]

Because I "Agree"(d) with it and wanted to like it too.

Should have Gave him a Like. Then posted a green check mark in a quote.
TTKU

 

[Orion inc.]

Do any of you have customers who allow you to refill your water bottle/jug at their business?

Absolutely. I've got one with ice machines as well. And the customers that really like you keep Gatorade and other drinks for you in the fridge. I get handed drinks all day long.

 

[BostonBo]

If u don't have a dash fan for your cab ask for one every day until you get one. It makes a huge difference. Wear spandex undergarments to help wick away the sweat and minimize heat rashes. You can't bring/drink enough liquid to work: know where the water refill stops are. Don't run or jog. We still shouldn't be working more than 9.5 every day and UPS just keeps pushing and pushing. I'm exhausted at the 9 hour mark, usually.

 

[theslinger]

Do any of you have customers who allow you to refill your water bottle/jug at their business?

Couple of ice machines on my route.

Also, some fast food places allow me to fill up on water/ice.

 

[watdaflock?]

Once you get past a point, you don't understand it.
I've played in tennis tournaments for 40 years and almost every tournament heat and dehydration takes someone down.

I understand what you are saying. Some sporting events the athlete can ignore the early signs of overheating. You in tennis tournaments don't know exactly how long the match is going to take.
My point is, as a UPS driver with many years experience you should be able to recognize the early stages no problem. A driver should never ignore the early signs. Immediately pull over and get your core temp down. Get your head, neck and wrists cold ASAP.

Not blaming anyone just making more of a precautionary statement for all of the UPS employees. Don't ever ignore the early signs of overheating.
If any manager dares say anything when it comes to an employees dealing with this heat they are screwed as soon as the grievance is filed.

 

[OPTION3]

I understand what you are saying. Some sporting events the athlete can ignore the early signs of overheating. You in tennis tournaments don't know exactly how long the match is going to take.
My point is, as a UPS driver with many years experience you should be able to recognize the early stages no problem. A driver should never ignore the early signs. Immediately pull over and get your core temp down. Get your head, neck and wrists cold ASAP.

Not blaming anyone just making more of a precautionary statement for all of the drivers/employees. Don't ever ignore the early signs of overheating.
If any manager dares say anything when it comes to an employees dealing with this heat they are screwed as soon as the grievance is filed.

Never put packages over people.......it's simple really

 

[Re-Raise]

I understand what you are saying. Some sporting events the athlete can ignore the early signs of overheating. You in tennis tournaments don't know exactly how long the match is going to take.
My point is, as a UPS driver with many years experience you should be able to recognize the early stages no problem. A driver should never ignore the early signs. Immediately pull over and get your core temp down. Get your head, neck and wrists cold ASAP.

Not blaming anyone just making more of a precautionary statement for all of the UPS employees. Don't ever ignore the early signs of overheating.
If any manager dares say anything when it comes to an employees dealing with this heat they are screwed as soon as the grievance is filed.

You really do know everything about everything don't you ?

 

[watdaflock?]

You really do know everything about everything don't you ?

When it's related to the body and how it works, pretty much. Thank you for recognizing I share my knowledge.

Knowing everything as you say is a no. I'm not that confident.

 

[Orion inc.]

I understand what you are saying. Some sporting events the athlete can ignore the early signs of overheating. You in tennis tournaments don't know exactly how long the match is going to take.
My point is, as a UPS driver with many years experience you should be able to recognize the early stages no problem. A driver should never ignore the early signs. Immediately pull over and get your core temp down. Get your head, neck and wrists cold ASAP.

Not blaming anyone just making more of a precautionary statement for all of the UPS employees. Don't ever ignore the early signs of overheating.
If any manager dares say anything when it comes to an employees dealing with this heat they are screwed as soon as the grievance is filed.

What exactly do you know about being a ups driver with "many years experience "? I have ups socks that I've used longer than you've been with ups it seems.

 

[watdaflock?]

What exactly do you about being a ups driver with "many years experience "? I have ups socks that I've used longer than you've been with ups it seems.

I simply believe a driver with years of experience has been through many summers. They've experience their core temperature rising many times and hopefully can recognize the early stages of overheating.

That's not unrealistic.