Another delivery driver dies as a battle rages over heat safety in Texas
On August 26, 2020, a delivery driver from Plano, Texas, died due to the extreme heat while he was delivering orders for a restaurant. He was the third delivery driver to die as temperatures rise in Texas.
The state does not have any formal regulations in place to protect delivery drivers from dangerously high temperatures and heat-related illness. This has led to an ongoing battle between labor advocates and restaurant owners.
Advocates are advocating for businesses to provide workers with extra breaks, put limits on how long drivers can be out delivering orders, and to provide reliable air conditioning in delivery vehicles. Restaurant owners, on the other hand, are trying to keep up with customer demand while minimizing costs.
This issue is reflective of a larger problem of heat safety and workers’ rights, especially during the summer months. As temperatures continue to rise in Texas, and across the nation, both restaurants and labor advocates must come together and find solutions that provide a minimum level of safety and comfort for these essential workers.