PPE for Women: Keeping a Diverse Workforce Safe

Research shows that generally women’s measurements and proportions can greatly differ from men, yet most PPE is designed around average male measurements.^³ This creates challenges for women as they seek protective equipment that is properly tailored to their size and shape. PPE that doesn’t fit properly does not provide the intended protection and, in some cases, can even increase the risk of workplace injury. Here are a few examples of how ill-fitting PPE can endanger women in the workplace:^³

• Safety helmet: Women often have smaller heads than men. While most safety helmets are adjustable, standard issue helmets may still not be small enough to accommodate a woman’s head. This can lead to risk of impact injury, balance issues or electric shock.
• Fall protection harnesses: Suspension trauma is a condition caused from prolonged stillness of the body in a vertical position. It causes blood to pool in the legs of the suspended person which dangerously disrupts circulation. Ill-fitting fall protection harnesses can increase the chance of circulation issues, thus increasing the risk of suspension trauma.⁴
• Protective eyewear: If safety goggles are too big—as they may be on women—they will not properly seal on the face. This could lead to debris or chemicals getting into the eye area. Oversized goggles may also fog or slide off the face.
• Hearing protection: Earmuffs may be too large to properly seal over women’s ears in which case they would not provide adequate hearing protection. Many women prefer disposable foam earplugs because they mold to the ear and are less likely to cause sizing issues.
• Gloves: Gloves are an important element of PPE, and oversized gloves can lead to several dangers. They can get caught in machinery, slide off causing grip issues, and generally inhibit hand use. One woman reported forgoing gloves altogether because they were too large and hindering her ability to do her job properly.
• Foot protection: Many women are still “making do” with oversized boots which can lead to slips, falls, and accidents.

How can you be a part of the solution? The market is shifting to become more considerate of unique sizing needs. As an example, one U.K. manufacturer of high visibility clothing recently unveiled a jacket insert designed to accommodate pregnancy. As PPE manufacturers continue to develop a wider range of options, the importance of providing these options to employees is paramount. Here’s how you can help keep your employees safe while contributing to a more inclusive workplace:⁵

• As an employer, maintain a directory of PPE manufacturers and suppliers that carry a wide selection of sizes and designs.
• Involve workers in the selection of PPE and allow them to try on different models.
• Make sure women (and all employees) test their PPE to check for appropriate fit before working and implement a system for reporting any issues.
• If you see gaps in the market, provide feedback to PPE manufacturers and suppliers about the changes you’d like to see and encourage employees to do the same.

If you have questions about PPE for women, please contact us. Our Loss Prevention representatives will be happy to help provide guidance to ensure all your employees are adequately protected.