Delivery Riders Endure Scorching Heat Without Adequate Protections
As temperatures soared into the mid-40s across Australia this week, many residents sought refuge indoors with air conditioning running. In cities like Melbourne, the demand for food and cold drink deliveries surged as people avoided venturing outside. However, the delivery riders fulfilling these orders faced a starkly different reality, braving what one described as "brutal" conditions without the safety nets afforded to other workers.
The Harsh Reality for Gig Workers in Extreme Weather
While many Australians can choose to work from home or stay indoors during heatwaves, delivery riders confront a difficult choice: risk their health by working in dangerous temperatures or lose income by staying home. This dilemma is exacerbated by increased demand during heatwaves, which paradoxically heightens the risks from sun exposure and scorching pavements. Riders often wear heavy, insulated protective clothing, compounding the heat stress.
Stef, a delivery rider in Sydney's CBD who requested anonymity, shared his experience of working through multiple heatwaves over the past two years. He emphasised the challenge of starting work and finding time for necessary breaks, often trying to "stick to the shadows" for sun protection. "The industry needs more protections," he stated, noting that some delivery apps impose unreasonable time limits, with breaches potentially leading to permanent bans.
Research Highlights Increased Risks and Demand
Professor Amelia Thorpe from UNSW, who interviewed over 50 delivery cyclists in Sydney and Melbourne, points out that food delivery orders rise significantly during extreme heat or heavy rain. This trend is supported by international research, including a study from China published in the Energy and Buildings journal. The study concludes that extreme high temperatures and urban heat island effects intensify outdoor heat exposure for delivery riders. During peak heat hours, people avoid going out, increasing orders and thus the workload and heat risk for riders.
Alexi Edwards, a 29-year-old former delivery rider in Perth, described working through "brutal" sweat and exhaustion on 40C days while wearing heavy gear. She only stopped bicycle deliveries after a crash, switching first to an electric scooter and then to a car with air conditioning. Edwards highlighted the catch-22 of protective clothing: "If you come off that bike, you are going to tear up every limb of your body if you're not wearing a jacket. But if it's higher than 20C, you're overheating in the PPE gear."
Company Responses and Lack of Employee Protections
Major delivery platforms like Uber and DoorDash emphasise rider safety but place the onus on individuals. Uber states that its riders receive mandatory onboarding education and safety information, with the flexibility to choose when and how they work. A spokesperson encouraged riders to "always put their own safety first." DoorDash mentions safety protocols for different weather conditions, including tips for extreme heat and the ability to suspend operations in certain areas during extreme events.
However, Dr Tyler Riordan from the University of Queensland notes that many riders are migrants who may lack experience with Australia's climate risks. He explains that as independent contractors paid per delivery, they "lack employee protections" and are incentivised by algorithms to work quickly for profitability. "It is up to each individual to look after themselves," he says, underscoring the systemic gaps in protection.
Calls for Systemic Change and Worker Support
With the climate crisis making heatwaves more frequent and severe, experts are urging a comprehensive overhaul of Australia's approach to worker safety in extreme heat. Dr Elizabeth Humphrys, coordinator of the Too Hot to Work project at the University of Technology Sydney, argues that reliance on outdated policies is inadequate. She advocates for a nationally coordinated plan with mandatory temperature cutoffs across all industries, similar to protections won by construction unions.
Humphrys stresses that delivery riders should not be forced to choose between health and income. "A cyclist working for Uber Eats is not given more [paid] time on a hot day to cool down or rehydrate," she points out. Associate Professor Brendan Churchill from the University of Melbourne draws a poignant comparison: "Compare them to tennis players at the Australian Open, whose conditions are subject to 'heat rules' ... they get support as the temperature rises, including longer breaks, closed roofs on stadiums. Delivery riders don't get anything."
Initiatives and Future Prospects for Improvement
Efforts to support gig workers have seen some progress. In 2023, architecture student Andrew Copolov created a Gig Workers' Hub in Melbourne's CBD, offering a safe space with amenities like food, drinks, and phone chargers. Although the trial closed due to funding issues, Copolov notes that similar hubs are being explored, including in NSW's night worker action plan. He suggests that informal spaces can "emerge organically" through worker congregation.
The Transport Workers' Union reports that 23 gig workers have been killed in Australia since 2017, a figure that may be underreported. National Assistant Secretary Emily McMillan calls for swift implementation of standards for fair wages and adequate breaks, especially as extreme weather events increase. She highlights a recent world-first agreement with Uber and DoorDash as a step toward minimum standards, promising "life-changing increases to their pay and important protections."
Infrastructure and Consumer Role in Enhancing Safety
Beyond policy changes, improvements in cycling infrastructure are crucial. Professor Thorpe, now researching in Paris, notes that Australia lags behind cities like London and Paris in cycling logistics. She advocates for more trees along roads to create shade on footpaths and bike paths as temperatures rise.
Dr Riordan also emphasises the role of consumers in promoting safety. "This can start with ensuring we engage in respectful ways or reconsidering the need to send someone else out in the heat if we are not prepared to go ourselves," he suggests. As heatwaves become more common, a collective effort from companies, policymakers, and the public is essential to protect vulnerable delivery riders from the escalating risks of extreme weather.
