Sanitation workers in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, have begun testing "air-conditioned vests" equipped with built-in fans to help them cope with extreme summer heat.
A sanitation worker wears an "air-conditioned vest" while sweeping the street in Xuanwu District, Nanjing. (Photo: Agencies)
More than 20 vests were distributed to sanitation workers in parts of Xuanwu District ahead of Sanfu, the hottest period of summer according to the Chinese lunar calendar, after Nanjing Xuanwu Environmental Engineering launched the trial in June.
The vest resembles a standard reflective sanitation uniform but is fitted with two small electronic fans on both sides of the waist. When activated, the fans draw in outside air and circulate airflow inside the vest, helping accelerate sweat evaporation and reduce body heat.
Sanitation workers use air-conditioned vests to help cope with high temperatures in Xuanwu District, Nanjing. (Photo: Nanjing Daily)
The vests feature three wind-speed settings, allowing workers to adjust airflow based on weather conditions and personal comfort. A portable battery stored in a pocket provides three to four hours of continuous operation after a full charge.
For 57-year-old sanitation worker Zhu Wenxian, the vest has provided noticeable relief during his daily street-cleaning duties.
Before using the vest, Zhu said working outdoors in hot weather was challenging. After less than two hours of morning work, his back would typically be soaked with sweat. The heat radiating from asphalt roads under the summer sun made the job even more difficult.
"Compared with before, I sweat much less now," Zhu said. He added that the towel he carries around his neck is now rarely needed during the day and that he feels much more comfortable while working.
Zhou Tong, executive deputy general manager of Nanjing Xuanwu Environmental Engineering, said the company decided to purchase the vests for trial use after seeing reports online in June about similar products developed by other companies.
A sanitation worker in Xuanwu District, wears an "air-conditioned vest" while working outdoors in hot weather. (Photo: Agencies)
The company said workers have responded positively to the trial so far and that it plans to provide the vests to more sanitation workers in the future.
A representative from the sanitation department of the Nanjing Urban Management Bureau said the practice would gradually be promoted among sanitation companies with suitable conditions and practical needs.
The trial reflects broader efforts to provide more practical support for outdoor workers during periods of extreme heat, helping them work more safely and comfortably in high temperatures.
(Compiled by Interns Gao Xin and Ge Weiqin)