Here come the girls
July 1st 2009 As an increasing number of women enter traditionally male workplaces there is growing demand for protective clothing which has been designed with women in mind. Thankfully there are now several options on the market, explains Audrey Harris.
Advances in the design and availability of women's fit PPE have primarily been driven by the growing understanding of the importance of correct protection and the need for equipment that fits the wearer properly.
While food production and light manufacturing industries have been the traditional sectors for high ratios of female staff, today there are more women entering other types of industries that have a need for protective clothing and equipment. For example, more women are taking the opportunity to learn a new skill or trade and female plumbers, carpenters, painters and surveyors are now regularly seen on building sites across the country.
From manufacturing through to emergency services, catering, construction, oil, gas and chemical industries, many injuries can be avoided through the correct use of protective clothing. Although the range available on the market is comprehensive, selecting products that are fit for purpose and that are acceptable to the wearer can seem an onerous task. This is particularly true when it comes to ensuring the safety of female workers.
There is an abundance of safety clothing available today. All promise to protect the wearer from specific risks, including adverse weather conditions, skin irritants, mechanical cuts and lacerations, slips, trips and falls or being hurt by a falling object. When supplying workwear as Personal Protective Equipment, the employer must ensure that the essential needs of fit and comfort are met.
Discomfort is one of the main excuses for not wearing compliant PPE in the workplace. It's a particularly common complaint from female workers who are often supplied with men's fit PPE in smaller sizes. Appearance matters too and people who are happy with the way they look are more likely to wear the PPE provided. So, there is an increasing need for PPE designers and manufacturers to adapt styles and sizes to reflect the needs of female workers, driven by the needs of employers to ensure all workers are protected. If PPE clothing is uncomfortable and workers won't wear it, injuries and lost days at work are inevitable.
It's not just about comfort. Proper fit is essential to ensure proper protection. A woman wearing a man's size jacket could find the sleeves too long with a potential for becoming caught in machinery, men's size gloves will reduce dexterity and increase the risk of injury. Women's style safety footwear has long been a talking point in the workplace but fashion aside, boots or shoes that are ill-fitting will increase the risk of tripping and reduce the overall level of protection. The same applies to head, face and eye protection.
The average woman has a smaller face than the average man which affects the fit and comfort of hard hats, goggles or eyewear and also respiratory protection.
Arco was one of the first distributors to recognise the need for specific women's fit PPE products. We have introduced women's fit hi viz waistcoats and jackets that conform to industry standards but are comfortable to wear. The jackets have a shorter sleeve length and both are fitted at the waist to ensure a more comfortable fit. This year's new Big Book catalogue from Arco will feature a range of products from shoes to weatherwear, eye and hearing protection with sizes and designs specifically for women. The trend is for an increasing range of colour and styling to promote and encourage users to wear what is required to keep them safe.
We now offer a range of foul weather protection from Regatta and Sprayway in women's sizes and a variety of colours and our Snickers range of workwear now offers women's sizes in hardwearing Dura Twill trousers. For protection against slips, trips and falls, Arco now has non slip and safety footwear specifically designed for ladies from names including: Terra, De Walt and Trojan. These companies are making a determined effort to bring women's safety footwear up to date with shoes that are stylish, comfortable and safe.
While safety is the key factor when considering PPE requirements, employers can also look for other benefits. A smart, well fitting uniform presents a professional image for the company and can help all employees to feel valued and an enhanced team spirit can only improve business performance.
The most important point to remember when sourcing any kind of PPE equipment is to ensure that the product complies with current industry standards and legislation. All workplace safety clothing sold in the UK as Personal Protective Equipment must conform to the relevant EN Standard; a stance which Arco proudly stands by.
Audrey Harris is clothing category manager at Arco More articles from Arco Limited: | 
