Women’s PPE often not fit for purpose


In 2016, a survey by the professionals’ union Prospect found that fewer than one in three (29%) women reported that the PPE they wore was specifically designed for women.


In addition, over half (57%) reported that their PPE sometimes or significantly hampered their work, while more than one in four (28%) reported being subjected to comments as a result of ill-fitting PPE, most of it derogatory.


Over 3,000 women responded to the survey, carried out in partnership with Women’s Engineering Society (WES), Women in Science and Engineering, the TUC and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Its findings suggest that, while some items of PPE have improved since a similar survey was carried out by WES in 2009, progress has been slow.


Women from a wide range of sectors, including the emergency services, transport, manufacturing, construction, research and development and the nuclear industry, took part in the survey. Those working in emergency services and energy were worst affected and highlighted the unsuitability of body armour, stab vests and hi-vis vests and jackets. Women in the survey also reported that ill-fitting PPE could cause discomfort, especially during pregnancy and the menopause.


They proposed having women’s sizes available as standard and an appropriate and accurate measuring system or changing room where PPE can be tried on.


The TUC followed up the survey with a report published to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day in April 2017. This made clear that PPE that is not designed to protect women is getting in the way of them doing the job safely.


The report’s findings are based on 2,655 responses to a TUC survey in addition to the responses to the Prospect survey. The TUC reports that 95% of women emergency workers said that their PPE sometimes or significantly hampered their work and that problems with PPE are particularly acute when women become pregnant. It says that half of the pregnant women surveyed had been forced to cut back on their normal duties or had to change their role due to suitable PPE not being available or supplied to them.


The TUC has published a new guide on gender in occupational safety and health to help union reps take gender differences into account when dealing with health and safety concerns at work. The new guide focuses on particular issues for women workers, including inappropriately designed tools and aims to help safety reps keep both men and women safe at work.