Several delivery companies have introduced emergency measures to protect their staff during the upcoming hot days. Supermarkets and parcel services will provide extra breaks and complimentary water bottles to grocery and package couriers following an ANP (Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau) survey.
Adjusted schedules and sun protection
Both major supermarkets and delivery corporations state that couriers have full permission to take additional rest periods. Companies are also instructing staff to drink plenty of water, seek shade, and lower their working pace. Supermarket chain Jumbo will actively shorten specific delivery routes to keep drivers off the road during peak sunshine hours. For routes that cannot be shortened, Jumbo will guarantee extra break windows.
Online supermarket Picnic will build additional buffer time into its daily planning schedules. The digital grocer is also issuing hats, sunglasses, water bottles, and sunscreen to its staff. If temperatures exceed 35 degrees Celsius, Picnic will add extra delivery slots in the morning and evening to reduce shifts during the hottest part of the day. Meanwhile, Albert Heijn is distributing ice lollies to its grocery delivery teams alongside standard hydration advice.
Flexible hours for postal workers
Logistics giant DHL has increased drinking water supplies across its hubs and actively encourages regular rest intervals. Management will allow employees to lower their working speed and will consciously minimize heavy physical labor during peak temperature windows.
PostNL will allow its postal workers to distribute their shifts across the cooler hours of the day. Because couriers deliver most mail on foot or by bicycle, PostNL altered these working hours to ensure staff safety.
According to weather service Weeronline, several regions in the Netherlands may experience a severe heatwave. This requires five consecutive days of temperatures at or above 30 degrees Celsius, with three days reaching 35 degrees Celsius or higher. Consequently, authorities have issued a code orange warning for extreme heat in the central and southern Netherlands, effective from Wednesday at 12:00 until at least Friday.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
