Traffic cops mask up to counter workday road dust
By Li Yi and Pan Zheng |
August 29, 2009, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A GAUZE mask covers his face and there's an opening for the whistle -- that's the typical image of a member of the No. 1 Squadron of Minhang Traffic Police Team.
Earlier this year staff from Huacao Community's health service center became concerned about policemen working in the dusty air and suggested they put on a gauze mask for protection.
Since then these traffic cops have earned the nickname "Mask Team."
Helpful as they can be, the masks cannot do everything. At the intersection of Beizhai and Pingjiang roads, the surface temperature is always very high.
The job of Zhou Yize, a Minhang traffic policeman, is to just stand there and after half an hour he's already covered with sweat.
And the mask makes it hard to breathe. But he holds his position -- at the crossroad where heavy trucks come and go, he keeps regulating the traffic by signaling.
Because Hongqiao is reconstructing its traffic hub, all members of No. 1 Squadron are at the frontline.
"We have to change our masks three or four times per day because they turn black so soon," says Shen Aijun, a squadron officer.
To maintain traffic flows, there are 17 extra positions on Beizhai and Huaxiang roads and the working hours have been extended to 7pm.
In addition, two patrol cars and two tractors are on standby for accidents.
"We'll never withdraw from our position until the traffic jams disappear," Shen says.
Other people also worry about the health of policemen working in such tough conditions. Huacao Town now cleans roads more frequently and construction teams are working hard to reduce dust.
Now on Beizhai Shanghai and Huaxiang roads there will be one watering cart passing through every 30 minutes.
All these efforts are designed to reduce the daily pollution so the traffic cops can ditch their masks as soon as possible.
Earlier this year staff from Huacao Community's health service center became concerned about policemen working in the dusty air and suggested they put on a gauze mask for protection.
Since then these traffic cops have earned the nickname "Mask Team."
Helpful as they can be, the masks cannot do everything. At the intersection of Beizhai and Pingjiang roads, the surface temperature is always very high.
The job of Zhou Yize, a Minhang traffic policeman, is to just stand there and after half an hour he's already covered with sweat.
And the mask makes it hard to breathe. But he holds his position -- at the crossroad where heavy trucks come and go, he keeps regulating the traffic by signaling.
Because Hongqiao is reconstructing its traffic hub, all members of No. 1 Squadron are at the frontline.
"We have to change our masks three or four times per day because they turn black so soon," says Shen Aijun, a squadron officer.
To maintain traffic flows, there are 17 extra positions on Beizhai and Huaxiang roads and the working hours have been extended to 7pm.
In addition, two patrol cars and two tractors are on standby for accidents.
"We'll never withdraw from our position until the traffic jams disappear," Shen says.
Other people also worry about the health of policemen working in such tough conditions. Huacao Town now cleans roads more frequently and construction teams are working hard to reduce dust.
Now on Beizhai Shanghai and Huaxiang roads there will be one watering cart passing through every 30 minutes.
All these efforts are designed to reduce the daily pollution so the traffic cops can ditch their masks as soon as possible.
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