Broiling heat in Arizona has a state representative steaming mad as she described unsafe work conditions for postal workers in the Phoenix area.
It was so hot, Arizona Rep. Shawnna Bolick wrote in a letter to American Postal Workers Union President Mark Dimonstein on Thursday, that one postal worker used the dashboard of a postal vehicle to cook a steak to an internal temperature of 142 degrees, KNXV reported.
"It is shocking to hear of postal workers having to endure the extreme Arizona temperatures that result in delivery trucks, many of which do not have air conditioning, regularly reaching above 128 degrees," Bolick wrote. "Working conditions must be improved immediately to ensure the safety of mail carriers subjected to these dangerous temperatures."
Bolick wrote the letter after she said she received photographs of the steak sizzling on the dashboard, the Arizona Daily Independent reported. She added that many postal workers do not have proper air conditioning in their vehicles, KNXV reported. She added that a worker in her district has sent her photographs and daily updates of temperature readings inside a mail truck that has averaged 128 degrees, the television station reported.
"This is inexcusable," Bolick wrote.
The U.S. Postal Service, in a statement, said the organization "works to protect its employees all year through a strong health and safety program.
"This includes instructions on messaging through the handheld carrier scanners, frequent service talks on recognizing heat illnesses and taking shade or hydration, and street supervision that checks on carriers during the day," the statement said. "Our carriers work hard and we appreciate that effort in all conditions.
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