Caring for Your Team in the Summer Heat

What Every DSP Should Know

As temperatures rise, so does the pressure on Delivery Associates.

Longer routes, heavier volume, and high heat can take a toll—physically and mentally. And while customers may expect business as usual, DSPs know summer brings real risks for the people doing the hardest work.

This season, taking care of your team doesn’t just mean delivering packages—it means creating conditions that keep DAs safe, healthy, and supported.

Here’s how to do it well:

1. Talk About Heat—and Do It Early

Don’t wait for the first 95° day to start the conversation. Build heat safety into your daily stand-ups. Talk hydration, breaks, shade, and signs of heat exhaustion. Make it normal to speak up when something feels off.

2. Normalize Breaks (and Actually Build Them In)

Some DAs will try to push through the heat to stay on pace. But rest is safety, not weakness. Encourage 5-minute cool-downs and make sure there’s water in the van and in the station. Your culture sets the tone.

3. Look Out for the New Drivers

Prime (summer) season often means more new hires—many of whom haven’t experienced summer on the road. Pair them with experienced mentors, keep an extra eye on how they’re doing, and check in more often during dispatch and debriefs.

4. Know What to Do if Someone Gets Hurt

Despite best efforts, things can still go wrong. A DA might trip, get overheated, or have an accident. The most important thing is to have a calm, clear response plan that prioritizes their care.

Do your leads know what to do?

Is there a process for reporting and responding?

Are medical professionals available to guide next steps?

Because Taking Care of People Is the Job

In this business, people are everything. When you protect their health and well-being, everything else—performance, retention, culture—follows.

At GRYPHON™, we’re here to help you take care of your team and your bottom line. From safety training and MVR monitoring to nurse triage and claims support, we give you the tools to lead with care—and manage risk without guesswork.

Take our Risk Quiz to see where you stand with your risk tolerance.

Let’s protect your people—and everything that depends on them.Need more safety tips or risk management guidance? Book a free consultation to build a safer, stronger summer.

Remember, take control of your risk and be the guardian of your business longevity!