Is Safety Clothing Fit for Women?

Not according to the nearly 600 respondents to the WES Safety clothing survey undertaken in Winter 2009/10. WES is campaigning to raise awareness that improved fit can equal improved efficiency and benefit employers and employees.

Difficulties reported include: handling tools, climbing ladders, tripping over because of ill-fitting boots often two or three sizes too big worn with layers of socks, taking photographs, writing, crouching down, or manoeuvring in small spaces. All made more difficult by oversized, low tech fabrics that hamper natural movement.

One respondent said:
“I left engineering because I could not use engineering equipment, because the clothing was not female friendly.”

Some repsondents hadn't thought about how they felt wearing oversized jackets or overalls until they took the survey. The comments were summed up by the following reply:

“Ill-fitting PPE makes it hard to move around on site in a normal and relaxed manner. This reinforces ‘women don't belong in construction’ and does little to boost confidence or create a professional appearance”

WES has teamed up with Women and Manual Trades and Women in Property to raise awareness of these daily challenges and urges procurement executives, suppliers and designers to put a bit of tech into the PPE clothing. Find out more about the campaign plans by clicking here.