Heat, Vans, and the Silent Risk in City Deliveries
Time to get wet. A cargo company sent an email promising safety steps before the summer rush, while a heat wave pressed on. The message spoke of a mobile app showing public water resources and urged deliverers to refill their flasks and stay hydrated. Yet union sources in the same sector indicate that during extreme heat the company has offered little beyond routine practice, leaving workers to shoulder the risk largely on their own.
Delivery workers in packages and food sectors are among the most exposed to high temperatures. They work outside for long stretches, and many move by bicycle to keep up with demand. The sun can burn and bring on heat exhaustion after hours under the glare. In Barcelona, CGT and local business council representatives explain that some firms do not supply protective creams or clothing designed for heat and sweat. Attempts by El Periódico de Catalunya to reach the company for comment yielded no response.
While every company should implement preventive measures to minimize heat stress, some teams are more proactive than others. Some fleets dubbed the supermarket delivery lines receive cold water, appropriate heat gear, and scheduled breaks between deliveries.
Glovo and CCOO describe a protocol that trains works councils and, when Aemet issues heat alerts, doubles readiness for dizziness or signs of heat illness. They also increase the provision of isotonic drinks, mixed with water, to offset the physical load of cycling at height. The aim is to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance during demanding rounds.
Just Eat has its own protocol focused on protecting delivery personnel in hot conditions. However, inquiries by El Periódico de Catalunya show the firm refuses to detail whether this translates into set breaks, company hydration, or occasional pauses beyond general guidelines.
Self‑employment as a Blind Spot in Prevention
In major Spanish cities, thousands of couriers circulate hourly, delivering a wide range of packages. Within this mix of colorful backpacks, there are clear divisions in workers rights. The sector has faced high turnover with Gorillas and Getir pulling back from Spain as Uber Eats expands. The so‑called rider law has existed for about two years but has struggled to fully cover the sector.
One union source calls this a wild west for riders. While every company should have an occupational risk prevention plan, self‑employed riders often lack coverage. For example, riders on Glovo or Uber Eats platforms work without a formal employment relationship with the apps themselves, which leaves preventive duties to the individual distributors. That means digital platforms carry little liability if an autonomous driver suffers heat illness on delivery runs.
A rider with a rival company says Glovo treats workers well and conditions are solid, but that is not the case for self‑employed drivers who receive orders but bear responsibility for the rest. Glovo states that distributors enjoy a freely adjustable insurance policy that covers incidents. The lack of guaranteed prevention, paid holidays, medical leave for work accidents, or coverage for mobile devices falls on the self‑employed worker. In practical terms, water and protection are not always guaranteed for the independent contractor on the road.
In the end, the issue is not just about policies on paper. It is about who bears the responsibility when heat and fatigue become a danger on the street or curbside. The contrast between firms that provide formal protections and those relying on individual initiative remains a key question for the industry and for regulators alike. This report draws on multiple sources including union views and regional press coverage to map the practical realities of heat risk in last‑mile delivery operations.