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USPS Heat Training Falsified After Death
14 Oct
Summary
- Mail carrier Eugene Gates died from hyperthermia in June 2023.
- His widow found training records falsely showing he completed heat safety.
- Hundreds of delivery vehicles in Texas lack air conditioning.
Eugene Gates, a dedicated Dallas mail carrier with 36 years of service, died in June 2023 from hyperthermia. His widow, Carla Gates, later found discrepancies in his training records, which falsely indicated he had completed the required heat safety program. This discovery raises serious questions about the U.S. Postal Service's Heat Illness Prevention Program, launched nationwide in 2022.
Union leaders report that falsified training records were a nationwide issue, not isolated to Dallas. Federal audits revealed that heat safety training was not always properly certified or conducted in group settings, with some managers certifying carriers who were not working on the certification date. Between fiscal year 2022 and June 2024, USPS recorded 1,332 heat-related incidents nationally.
Tragically, more postal workers have died from heat-related incidents in Texas since the program's inception, including Jacob Taylor in 2025 and Umeshkumar Thakkar in 2026. OSHA records show a pattern of heat-related complaints from various Texas locations. Furthermore, over half of the active delivery vehicles in Texas, totaling 10,337 out of 18,153, lack air conditioning, posing significant risks to carriers.
The USPS states that employee safety is a top priority and that its Heat Illness Prevention Program provides mandatory training and resources. However, union representatives argue that policies alone are insufficient and advocate for earlier start times, more breaks, reliable access to ice and water, and more air-conditioned vehicles. Carla Gates continues to advocate for tangible results and systemic change.
