An unsuitable fit for women: Have industry and employers responded to calls for better fitting personal protective equipment?

摘要

1.Many industries, such as transportation, maritime and construction, continue to be 'male dominated'. 2.Women's entry into such industries has not been helped by well-documented poor access to personal protective equipment (PPE) specifically designed for women, as highlighted in research, in 2016, by the trade union Prospect, the Women's Engineering Society, Women into Science and Engineering and the TUC. 3.More recent research suggests that female firefighters and seafarers also complain that the available protective clothing is often not tailored for women's needs. 4.Poorly fitting PPE reduces the user's protection against health and safety hazards. 5.Several manufacturers and employers have responded by making available PPE specifically designed for the female user, including PPE suitable for work during pregnancy and maternity. 6.Suppliers should conduct effective end-user and market research to ensure that PPE is appropriately designed for female workers.