Survey: Female staffers struggle to find safety gear that actually fits

A recent survey reinforces the importance of making sure your crew members – especially female staffers – have access to safety gear that fits.

The survey, which was conducted by Lumber, revealed that 67% of 100 female construction company owners, executives and decision- makers said personal protective equipment such as safety harnesses and hard hats aren’t readily available in women’s sizes.

Even worse, 85% of the female respondents said maternity-friendly safety equipment isn’t offered at most construction sites.

While manufacturers offer safety gear in women’s sizes, most of the respondents said it’s often too expensive to purchase equipment for all different types of bodies.

Note: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to revise its construction standard for personal protective equipment to require that safety gear fits everyone on every job site.

(From the June 24, 2024, issue of Safety Alert for Supervisors. To start your no-obligation trial subscription to the publication right now, please click here.)