Don't Hurt Yourself
One time I overheard a manager talking about why UPS drivers get injured at such a high rate, higher than the national average for this type of work. He was saying that one problem was our misuse of our two-wheelers. He said we didn't secure them in the back of the car properly and then we tried to work around them, sometimes over them and eventually we collided with them and got hurt. He said they roll around the back of the car when we drive and they can be in a different, sometimes surprising, 
location when we open the doors.
He blamed us for not securing them with bungee cords right behind the driver's seat inside the package compartment. He went on to describe in great detail how we struggle getting the wheelers in and out of the car, how we don't load them properly, and how we don't keep the tires inflated.
He then blamed us for working too fast. He then explained why that is our fault too. He said drivers allow themselves to get behind by not using the methods or talking too much or succumbing to other distractions. Drivers put themselves in the position of having to hurry to catch up. Then they work unsafely and get hurt. If you fall behind and have too much work to do and not enough time to do it, it's your own fault. And running to catch up is the source of injuries.
When he launched into his belief that most drivers may not be in as good of shape as they think they are (and may be over-confident of their abilities), I stifled a scream. He said that most drivers quit exercising when they become UPS drivers because they think they get enough exercise on the job. He whined that some drivers don't eat right and don't hydrate themselves properly,
I think the company needs to take responsibility for its own part in the injury picture. They still deny that every day they send every driver out with too much work on the car. Overloaded, overworked, overstressed drivers get hurt. That's where the injuries come from, It's that simple.
location when we open the doors. He blamed us for not securing them with bungee cords right behind the driver's seat inside the package compartment. He went on to describe in great detail how we struggle getting the wheelers in and out of the car, how we don't load them properly, and how we don't keep the tires inflated.
He then blamed us for working too fast. He then explained why that is our fault too. He said drivers allow themselves to get behind by not using the methods or talking too much or succumbing to other distractions. Drivers put themselves in the position of having to hurry to catch up. Then they work unsafely and get hurt. If you fall behind and have too much work to do and not enough time to do it, it's your own fault. And running to catch up is the source of injuries.
When he launched into his belief that most drivers may not be in as good of shape as they think they are (and may be over-confident of their abilities), I stifled a scream. He said that most drivers quit exercising when they become UPS drivers because they think they get enough exercise on the job. He whined that some drivers don't eat right and don't hydrate themselves properly,
I think the company needs to take responsibility for its own part in the injury picture. They still deny that every day they send every driver out with too much work on the car. Overloaded, overworked, overstressed drivers get hurt. That's where the injuries come from, It's that simple.
George where did you find this picture of the wheeler? Man this is great!
So many times a manager would rant on and on about every other thing under the sun that had nothing to do with the long hours and lack of a life on the outside.
So true, so true!
I remember having the wheeler buried in the load, and it being so heavy there simply was no place for it except for in back on top of the boxes. Then at the first stop you had to pull it down and set it aside while you unloaded the boxes, then deliver and then put the thing back in there.
Yes, you could fall over it. I love the one about securing the wheeler behind the seat with bungee cords! Ha Ha, if there was room of course. Usually for the first 2 hours you just had to work around the thing.
10 hours later you could have it secured because you were finally finished and driving in to go home. Of course, if you did not lock it up, someone would "procure" it and you would be hunting all morning for a new one.
Just love this post. Heard it before!
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