Comfort fit for conservancy workers: how three Indian cities are getting the ‘measurements’ right

What does it take to design gloves, masks and uniform that factor in the various challenges faced by workers on the waste beat? Indore, Bengaluru and Pune have an answer

In 2021, when the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs urged all urban local bodies to adopt the new design standards in allotting uniforms to sanitation workers, Indore Municipal Corporation sought an exception.

It was not a move of defiance, but one of concern, concern for its safai mitras, as its conservancy workers are called. More than fitting a design standard for uniform, it wanted uniform that “fit” the conservancy workers, making them feel comfortable.

Indore Municipal Corporation tweaked the design based on feedback from the safai mitras: women preferred saris and men wanted t-shirts, shoes without laces and wrap stoles to cover nose and mouth instead of masks.

In Indore, a majority of the female safai mitras prefer saris and men wear t-shirts. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Modal fabric was chosen for the sari for its durability and moisture control factor, something better than cotton. Gloves were also customised to ensure greater grip.

Special raincoats and fluorescent jackets are among other accessories.