In 2015, women accounted for only 2.2% of production occupations in construction, which is one-sixth the level of “all other industries.” One of the challenges facing women in the construction industry is finding personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly. This is a serious issue because PPE that does not fit properly will not adequately protect against occupational hazards and may increase the risk for illnesses, injuries and death. 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.
Although OSHA Construction Standards for PPE do not require employers to ensure that the PPE provided fits each employee, doing so will ensure their employees, including female employees, are protected.
The following list of examples of commercially-available PPE has been compiled to help employers and women in the trades find PPE that accommodates female anthropometry. Download a PDF version of the list.
CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR:
- Carhartt Footwear Bison Waterproof Wellington ASTM 2413-11 EH compliant
- Caterpillar ECHO Steel Toe boots
- Chippewa Tinsley Black Insulated Steel Toe Work Boot L73045 ASTM F2413 compliant
- Moxie Trades Alice 6” Industrial Waterproof Work Boot ASTM F2413 compliant & CSA approved Grade 1
- Thorogood 6” Lace-up Work Boot MaxWear Wedge 814-4203
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Ariat
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Lehigh Outfitters
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at SafetyGirl
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Steel-Toe-Shoes.com
- Various Brands of Work Shoes at Moxie Trades
CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR COLD CLIMATE ACCESSORIES:
EAR PROTECTION:
HARNESSES FOR PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS:
- French Creek FRC01-872 full body harness OSHA compliant
- DBI-SALA ExoFit NEX 613M2016 cross-over harness AS/NZS 1891 compliant
- Ms. Miller Harness Model E570 and 570 Series OSHA compliant
- Norguard Go Pro-Girl SNGNPH28 OSHA compliant
HARD HATS:
HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING:
- 3A SAFETY C3WIN5301 jacket ANSI 107 Class 3 compliant ERB
- ERB SAFETY S720 vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- GSS Safety Vest 7803/7804 Class 3 compliant
- ML KISHIGO 1521 vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- ML KISHIGO 1525/1526 vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- ML KISHIGO Unisex Soft Shell Jacket JS144 ANSI 107 Class 3 compliant
- Radians SVL1 Type R vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- River City LVCL2ML vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- Utility Pro Full Zip Soft Shell Jacket UHV668 ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- Utility Pro Parka UHV664 ANSI 107 Class 3 compliant
FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING:
- Carhartt FR coverall NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 compliant
- Carhartt FR Midweight Canvas Active Jac jacket Arc Rating ATPV 34.0 calories/cm2
- Various FR Work Apparel by Bulwark
SAFETY GLASSES:
- Boutin Eva Petite Safety Glasses ANSI Z87.1+ compliant
- Crews CR2 Safety Glasses ANSI Z87.1+ compliant
- Edge Civetta Women Ballistic Safety Glasses ANSI Z87.1+ compliant
- Radians Mirage Small Safety Eyewear ANSI Z87.1+ compliant
- Radians Shooting Glasses ANSI Z87.1+ compliant
SAFETY GLOVES:
MISCELLANEOUS:
Note: CPWR 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.