Yamato Transport Expands Use of Fan-Equipped Vests to Combat Heat Stroke

Combatting Heat Stroke: Yamato Transport's New Initiatives

Yamato Transport Co., Ltd. has taken significant steps to ensure a safe and comfortable working environment for its employees, especially amidst rising temperatures. Starting from June 2025, the company is set to expand the introduction of fan-equipped vests as a measure against heat stroke. This initiative will be accompanied by the installation of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measuring devices in all business locations and a trial of wearable devices designed to detect heat stroke risks in select areas.

Fan-Equipped Vests

Since 2021, Yamato Transport has provided approximately 6,500 fan-equipped vests to sales drivers engaged in delivery operations using carts and bicycles. This initiative has been instrumental in assessing the effectiveness of such vests as a heat stroke preventative measure. The newly adapted vests intended for truck-driving sales personnel will feature an improved design; specifically, the fan installation has been shifted 7 cm from the back to the side, ensuring that it does not hinder driving.

Intended Recipients

The new vests will be distributed to sales drivers and operational staff (excluding some areas in Hokkaido, Akita, Iwate, and parts of Miyagi), totaling roughly 75,000 vests.

WBGT Measuring Devices

In response to the increasing risk of heat stroke due to extreme weather conditions, Yamato has also been proactive in employing WBGT values published by the Ministry of the Environment. Until now, measures such as installing spot coolers and notifying employees about hydration frequency have been in place at various locations. Expanding the deployment of WBGT measuring devices to all facilities, approximately 3,000 units in total, allows the company to accurately assess working environments by location, facilitating prompt responses tailored to specific conditions.

Installation Locations

The distribution will cover all business locations, including sales offices and corporate operational hubs.

Wearable Devices

Yamato Transport is also trialing wearable devices that can be worn on the wrist. These devices monitor changes in deep body temperature, providing alerts through sound, light, and vibrations upon recognizing potential signs of heat stroke. By detecting initial symptoms, which employees may overlook, the devices encourage timely hydration and breaks, consequently reducing the severity of heat stroke cases arising from delayed responses. Approximately 2,500 units are planned for trial in selected regions, including parts of Nagasaki and Tokyo.

Trial and Data Collection

Through this initiative, Yamato aims to validate the effectiveness of the wearable devices as heat stroke prevention tools while collecting data on detection frequency and times, which will inform future measures.

Background for Implementation

The impetus for these measures stems from a marked increase in record-setting heat waves in recent years, resulting in a rising incidence of heat stroke. Furthermore, as of June 1, 2025, amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Regulations will mandate heat stroke prevention measures in workplaces, underlining the importance of such initiatives.

Yamato Transport has long recognized the need for comprehensive heat stroke strategies, having created guidelines and manuals for awareness and response protocols in case of heat-related incidents. Through environmental assessments and employee feedback, the company has implemented various measures, including the installation of cooling units, and ensuring the availability of refrigerated beverages and oral rehydration solutions.

Incorporating a multi-faceted approach to tackle this season's challenges, Yamato Transport is undoubtedly paving the way for better employee safety and health against the backdrop of rising heat hazards.