Women's Workwear

[Dirty Boy]

Was just reading the Nottingham meeting notes, and came across this:

"suitable ppe for women"

Was slightly confused as to what this exactly meant, as I've never heard any complaints about it on site from the fairer sex, apart from the usual "Why am I wearing a hard hat in the middle of an open field?"

Is it something to do with the difficulty of obtaining the right size boots?

Much confuzzled...

[Gilraen]

I don't know what it could mean either - safety boots, etc, go down to a Size 3, I know that much.

[trowelmonkey]

I can only imagine that it's a size issue. Occasionally, I've still come come across employers who have refused to source smaller sizes if their usual supplier doesn't stock smaller sizes, citing excessive costs for transient staff. The gloves issue is a really big deal since so many jobs now rely on infrastructure projects and most civils have pretty stringent glove rules. Being issued waterproofs where the crotch is below knee level and the waist somewhere around the chin is pretty patronising. Most units are better than that, though.

[BAJR]

http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm?mins=340

PPE is often designed for male bodies, for women workers this may introduce serious hazards. Ill-fitting protective garments will have their effectiveness compromised, overly large gloves may get caught in machinery.

Therefore ranges of PPE that better suit the female body are being produced. Its not about fashion, its about safety. :face-approve:


In another report from Women in Engineering:

“There areover 65,000 women working in engineering, technology and construction, that's around ten percent of the workforce” says Jan Peters, president of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), “But women are built differently from men and find that work-wear is not satisfactory. Inappropriate and ill-fitting clothing can put them off from pursuing careers in these sectors”.
“We need the makers of safety wear – work boots, high visibility jackets, protective gloves and the like - to cater for our needs. We don’t necessarily want fashion – although we want to look smart and professional – we just want clothes that fit!”
WES is launching a survey on its website (http://www.wes.org.uk), today (25 September), for women working in science, engineering, technological and construction industries to share their stories about work wear and safety clothing. Women and Manual Trades (WAMT) and the Association of Women in Property (WIP) along with other women’s support groups are joining in the survey, making it a cross-sector initiative.
“Anecdotal reports abound of women carrying multiple pairs of socks on site visits to make too-big boots fit and of having to fight flapping jacket sleeves to use a camera” continued Jan. “We want to find out just how widespread the problems are so that we can team up with manufacturers to produce well-fitting clothing”.

and thank you trowel monkey

[kevin wooldridge]

I can't comment on what was discussed at Nottingham - I wasn't there - but the Women's Engineering Society undertook a survey late last year asking women in engineering, construction and archaeology for opinions on PPE for women. Not just about size of boots, but also about comfort and suitability of the whole range of PPE i.e how many suppliers of PPE took into account that the majority of women are shaped differently to men and of differing size and proportion and might need PPE that stretches and fits in different places to the average male. I would imagine that the Nottingham meeting might have considered the results of this survey - over 550 women responded (suggesting Dirty Boy that whilst women might not talk to you much, they do have something to say on the subject!! ) The survey was advertised on BAJR at the time.....

[Dirty Boy]

(suggesting Dirty Boy that whilst women might not talk to you much, they do have something to say on the subject!! )

To be fair, my interaction on site with women does involve me asking them to put the kettle on- can't imagine what I'm doing wrong!

I can see the obvious problem with getting hold of boots and gloves small enough, but I've often found that PPE never really fits anyone properly - I've yet to find a hard hat that won't keep falling off me blumming head!

I'll have to peruse BAJR for that announcement. Is there an available copy of the survey? Just out of interest really, as its never something I've run across as a problem

[Dirty Boy]

Thanks Mr Hosty and Trowel Monkey. Shall have a quick butchers at that link

[botty]

The main problem I've had over the years with regard to ppe is finding safety boots that provide actual ankle support. Even the ones that come in quite small sizes always leave a gap of about three inches around the outside, no matter how tight you try to do up your laces. Everything else you can just roll up or tie some string around and you're grand, but boots are a problem.

Also guys telling me how to mattock. That method might work for you son, but I have lady hips and boobs and a completely different centre of gravity so why don't you mosey on back to what you were doing, thank you.

end ranty rant.

[BAJR]

http://www.wes.org.uk/content/safety-clo...d-campaign

[lucy78green]

I might be an odd example as I am short but wide!
I find that I have to wear large or extra large in vis-vests or coats to get them to fasten over my chest but then they don't fit elsewhere, or the massive sleeves get in the way. Same for trousers, I have to buy a large or extra-large to get them to fit over my massive hips, but then the waists are too large and the legs are way too long. For hi-vis trousers the waist to crotch length is usually too long, so the crotch usually falls several inches below where it needs to be, therefore the inside seam tends to split when stepping up into the site hut or up a large baulk. I am lucky in that my shoe size is a 6 so some manufacturers go that small, but the boots tend to be too wide on my feet.
The rest of my clothing I have resorted to buying in Millets or Tiso where they make outdoor clothing for women