Is Management Truthfully Concerned About Safety?

By Jose Ochoa, Executive Vice President

In July 2023, a 66-year-old Dallas Letter Carrier Eugene Gates Jr., passed out during an extremely hot day while delivering. He collapsed in the front yard. The homeowner came outside to perform CPR, but the carrier later died at the hospital.

In 2019 Los Angeles carrier, Peggy Frank, was found dead in her non-air-conditioned mail truck on an extraordinarily hot day.

In 2022, Letter Carrier John Watzlawick of Independence, Missouri died while delivering mail in the heat. Watzlawick informed management that he felt ill from the heat prior to his death.

Please don’t allow yourself to be the next casualty. Once again, I want to remind you how to recognize a possible heat stroke/heat exhaustion.

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F; hot, red, dry, or damp skin; rapid or strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop working and get to a shady area. Call 911 or get to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency.

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

Heavy Sweating, weakness or tiredness: cool, pale clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness; nausea or vomiting; headache; fainting.

First move to a cooler environment, preferably a well airconditioned room. Loosen clothing, call 911 and explain what you are feeling and follow instructions. You can also try calling your supervisor, but we all know the chances of them answering the phone are very rare.

Don’t take any chances, your life is more important than mail delivery. Think about your loved ones and how they need you to come home safely at the end of the day. The mail will get delivered, you can be replaced, but not by your loved ones.

You have the right to take as many extra breaks as needed if experiencing any of the above. Let management know, that you took extra breaks. If any issues arise from the extra time you took, immediately let your Shop Steward or FTO know.

Of course, by now, you know all about carrying and drinking lots of water when it’s hot. Be safe and take care.