Tools & Guides to Reach the Industry (e.g. tech transfer, vulnerable workers, partnerships)

Personal Protective Equipment for Women Construction Workers

One of the challenges facing women, non-binary workers, and transgender workers in the construction industry is accessing personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly. In a 2021 survey of 2,635 tradeswomen and non-binary tradespeople by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, only 19.1 percent of participants said that they were always provided with gloves or safety equipment in sizes that fit them while working. This is a serious issue because PPE that does not fit properly will not adequately protect against occupational hazards and may cause hazards in itself. For example, oversized protective clothing can lead to tripping hazards or get caught in machinery and result in a serious injury. Poorly fitted fall protection harnesses may lead to other injuries or may not be effective in the event of a fall. Similarly, gloves that are too big put a worker at risk of coming in contact with chemicals that can cause dermatitis or other skin diseases. Learn more about PPE fit from NIOSH’s Science Blog.

The number of women workers in construction is increasing, but women remain underrepresented in the industry. Between 2011 and 2022, the percentage of women in the construction workforce increased from 9% to 11% and the percentage of blue-collar women workers in the industry rose from 2% to 4% (https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/DataBulletin-May2023.pdf). However, as of 2021, women accounted for only 3.7% of blue-collar occupations in construction, which is about one-fourth the level of women in blue-collar jobs across all industries (https://www.cpwr.com/research/data-center/data-dashboards/women-in-construction/).

Providing PPE that fits properly helps ensure that all employees, including women, non-binary workers, and transgender workers, are protected. The following list of examples of commercially available PPE has been compiled to help employers and workers in the trades find PPE that accommodates a range of anthropometry.

A PDF version of the list below is also available for printing here.


COMPANIES FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON WOMENSWEAR:

CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR:

CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR COLD CLIMATE ACCESSORIES:

EAR PROTECTION:

HARNESSES FOR PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS:

HARD HATS:

HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING:

FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING:

SAFETY GLASSES AND GOGGLES:

SAFETY GLOVES:

 

Note: CPWR has not tested and does not endorse any specific equipment or product. Many factors influence the effectiveness of PPE including maintenance and training, the appropriateness of the PPE for the task, and manufacturer instructions/requirements. 

Users may also find it helpful to view videos on the Safety Rack, a YouTube channel that posts reviews and experiences with PPE for women in construction. CPWR does not endorse this channel or its opinions.