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

Personal Protective Equipment for Women Construction Workers

In 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/). One of the challenges facing women and non-binary people 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. Learn more about PPE fit from NIOSH’s Science Blog.

Although OSHA Construction Standards for PPE do not currently require employers to ensure that the PPE provided fits each employee, doing so will ensure their employees, including women and non-binary workers, 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 their 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:

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.