With temperatures hitting an all time high for June across much of Europe last week, you have to spare a thought for those who work manually.
One company that takes its employees’ comfort and safety seriously and as major priority is Amazon. The giant has in place a number of initiatives to keep staff cool, no matter the temperature.
Every day, its team of more than 11,000 Amazon safety professionals works to maintain the highest safety standards using best in class technology and preventative measures to keep employees and partners safe and comfortable during hot weather, including climate control systems in buildings, air conditioning in branded delivery vans, and access to protective clothing options and hydration supplies.
The company is committed to creating the safest possible workplaces for employees, whether they are inside its facilities, on flight ramps, or delivering on the road.
Employees in operations sites – including fulfilment centres, sort centres, air hubs, and delivery stations – work in cooled environments. Buildings also have industrial fans and building management systems that constantly measure the temperature and heat index (temperature plus humidity) and proactively alert site leaders if climate conditions change.
This comprehensive heat mitigation approach extends to outdoor operations too, including Amazon Air hubs, where employees working on flight ramps have air conditioned crew vans and dedicated cooling stations for breaks, along with readily available hydration supplies and sunscreen.
Employees are provided with resources to help them recognise the signs of heat related illness, understand environmental and personal risk factors, follow hydration guidance, and respond to suspected heat illness incidents. Most importantly, everyone is empowered to take preventative cooldown rest breaks anytime they need.
Amazon says that it is continuously evaluating new ways to support delivery service partners (DSPs) and their delivery associates (DAs) during fluctuating weather conditions like heat waves. Every Amazon branded vehicle is air conditioned – a feature that exceeds the industry standard – and if the air conditioning isn’t working in a vehicle, that vehicle is taken out of service immediately.
Beyond air conditioning, it continues to invest in innovations for driver comfort and the driver experience. For example, Amazon has developed a reflective white film for delivery vehicle roofs that reduces interior temperatures even further. Already installed on nearly 9000 vehicles, this will be expanded to over 15,000 vehicles by the end of 2026, prioritising those in the hottest regions.
To date, the company has invested more than $100 million on heat mitigation retrofit investments for its vans.
To support personal comfort on the road, DSP DAs receive electrolyte powder, coolers, 64 ounce insulated tumblers, cooling bandanas, and sunscreen at no cost to their DSP. UPF polo shirts in short and long sleeve options, bucket hats, and lightweight caps are all available through the uniform programme for DSPs to provide their DAs.
In the hottest delivery zones, the company also goes a step further by distributing 148,000 pairs of water activated cooling sleeves to help DAs manage extreme heat when they are out of their vehicles.
All Amazon delivery stations are equipped with ice machines, water stations, and supplies to help employees and delivery partners stay cool and hydrated throughout the day. Starting this year, Amazon is investing another $29 million in new hydration stations, featuring advanced three stage filtration systems that provide employees and partners with unlimited access to clean, cold water on-demand. This transition will help eliminate nearly 118.5 million plastic bottles annually, furthering its commitment to sustainability while ensuring reliable access to hydration.
Amazon also has a dedicated in-house meteorology team, which provides accurate, timely information to help its network and partners make informed decisions before, during, and after extreme weather events.
Pictures courtesy Amazon.
https://couriernews.co.uk/blog/amazon-stays-cool-in-the-heat/