Too Hot to Haul: Managing Heat Stress for Driver Safety

6/18/2024 Event Recap:

OVERVIEW:

This webinar, hosted by Together for Safer Roads (TSR) and Qworky, tackled the urgent issue of heat-related illness and injury among fleet drivers and other outdoor workers, as rising temperatures and climate conditions increasingly threaten worker health, safety, and productivity. Panelists included:

Dr. Doug Casa, a leading authority in exertional heat illness and the prevention of sudden death in sports and physically demanding professions. He serves as the CEO since the Korey Stringer Institute’s founding in 2010 and is a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in UConn’s Department of Kinesiology. Dr. Casa’s journey, from a life-threatening heat stroke experience to saving lives through research, treatment, and advocacy exemplifies his dedication to public health and safety.
Dr. Caroline Smith, Director, Thermal & Macrovascular Physiology Lab, Appalachian State. A leading expert in human thermal physiology, with a strong focus on how environmental stressors—and occupational exposures—impact microvascular and systemic thermoregulation. As the founding Director of ASU’s Thermal and Microvascular Physiology Laboratory, she spearheads cutting-edge research in areas such as firefighter safety and aging-related vascular health.
Bill Richards, DOT Safety Manager, PepsiCo. Bill Richards brings a powerful blend of military discipline, road-tested experience, and safety leadership to his role at PepsiCo. Serving in the U.S. Marine Corps for 11 years, he cultivated a strong foundation in leadership, mission focus, and operational excellence.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Heat Risk is Growing: Climate change has extended heat seasons, making heat illness a more frequent and serious hazard across industries.
Vulnerable Populations: Drivers range widely in age and fitness levels; older drivers with comorbidities and medications face higher risks.
First Week Danger: 50–70% of heat-related fatalities occur in the first week of exposure—acclimatization is critical.
Real-World Driver Impact: Heat stress impairs driving ability and cognitive function; cooling interventions are essential for both safety and productivity.
New/Young Driver Risk: New hires are especially vulnerable as they may hide symptoms to “prove” themselves—supervisors must proactively monitor and coach them.
Low-Cost Interventions Work: Simple measures like cooling towels, hydration strategies, shade, adjusted work/rest cycles, and personal cooling gear can significantly reduce risk at low cost.
Legal/Economic Risks: Companies face substantial financial exposure—heat-related lawsuits can result in multimillion-dollar settlements, often far exceeding the cost of preventive measures.
Regulatory Landscape: Federal standards are paused, but many states (CA, WA, MN, others) are advancing local heat safety standards—companies should act now to align with emerging best practices.
Technology: Use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) for monitoring is far superior to heat index; emerging tech (wearables, HR monitors) offers potential.

ACTION ITEMS:

Develop or Update Heat Safety Plan
- Implement heat acclimatization for new hires
- Tailor policies for vulnerable groups (older drivers, those with health conditions)
Train & Educate All Drivers
- Mandatory, interactive training on heat illness signs, risks, and prevention—not just passive slide decks
Equip Drivers
- Provide personal cooling tools (cooling towels, fans, hydration supplies)
- Encourage appropriate clothing/PPE choices
Monitor & Manage Workload
- Use WBGT monitoring to guide adjustments in schedule and rest cycles
- Encourage “buddy systems” and supervisor check-ins, especially for newer drivers
Engage Supervisors & Leadership
- Train managers and supervisors on the signs, symptoms, and risks
- Communicate “heat tax” implications: lost productivity, liability, injury costs
- Present business case for investing in prevention
Review Compliance & Risk Across States
- Track state-level regulations
- Prepare for evolving legal expectations
Learn from Drivers
- Actively gather feedback on what interventions work in the real world
- Adjust plans based on frontline experience

Need help crafting a heat safety plan or training program for your organization?
Contact Together for Safer Roads (TSR) or Qworky—we’re here to help you turn best practices into actionable strategies for your teams.