Cooling Vests, Towels & Heat-Relief Gear
Cooling gear can make hot work more bearable and lower your body temperature, especially when you must wear heavy PPE like FR clothing, chemical suits or welding leathers. But it’s an extra layer of protection, not a substitute for water, rest, shade and a heat plan.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Outdoor workers
Types of cooling gear
| Type | How it works | Best for | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporative vests, towels, bandanas, neck gaiters | Soak in water; cooling comes from evaporation | Dry heat, light PPE, low cost | Works poorly in high humidity; must be re-wet often; can feel clammy |
| Phase-change vests | Packs that freeze or solidify around 58–65°F absorb body heat | Humid heat, under coveralls or FR | Packs last about 1 to 3 hours; need a freezer or ice water to recharge; add weight |
| Ice vests | Pockets with ice packs | Short, very hot tasks | Can be too cold on skin; short duration; heavy |
| Air-cooled vests | Compressed air through a vortex tube blows cool air | Fixed workstations, inside protective suits | Tied to an air hose; needs clean breathing-quality air |
| Liquid-cooled garments | Cold water pumped through tubes | Extreme heat, hazmat suits | Expensive; needs a pump and cooler |
| Hard hat liners, brims and sweatbands | Shade the neck, absorb sweat, some are evaporative | All outdoor work | Must not interfere with hard hat fit |
Choosing and using cooling gear
- Match the climate. In humid places like the Gulf Coast or Southeast, evaporative gear does little; phase-change vests work better.
- Match your other PPE. If you need FR or arc-rated clothing, the cooling gear must not add a meltable layer on top. Wear it under your FR, or buy FR-rated cooling products.
- Keep spare packs cold in a cooler or freezer so you can swap them at breaks.
- Hard hat accessories should be made for your hard hat and approved by the maker, so they don’t affect the suspension or protection.
- Don’t put frozen packs directly on bare skin for long periods; follow the maker’s instructions.
Cooling gear can hide warning signs. Feeling cooler doesn’t mean your core temperature is safe. Keep drinking water every 15 to 20 minutes, take rest breaks in shade, and watch yourself and coworkers for heat illness symptoms. See Heat Illness Prevention.
Other ways to beat the heat
- Light-colored, loose, breathable work clothes where the job allows
- Portable fans and misting stations in rest areas (fans help less when it’s above about 95°F and humid)
- Shade canopies at fixed work areas
- Scheduling heavy work for the cooler morning hours
- Easing new and returning workers into hot work over the first week
Who pays?
Federal OSHA doesn’t specifically require cooling vests. Many employers provide them as part of their heat plan, and some state heat rules require employers to consider cooling measures. Ask what your employer supplies. See Heat Illness Rules by State.
Standards & references
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