Women, non-binary workers, and transgender workers in construction face challenges 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 they were always provided with gloves or safety equipment in sizes that fit them while working.
PPE that does not fit properly will not adequately protect against workplace hazards and may create new hazards. For example, poorly fitted fall protection harnesses may not be effective in the event of a fall and may cause other injuries in regular use, such as pinching or bruising. Oversized or badly-cut protective clothing can fail to protect against hazards and lead to new tripping hazards or become caught in machinery. 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. CPWR’s PPE fit infographic, pictured above, discusses these issues further and describes what proper fit should look like (English: PDF, PNG; Spanish: PDF, PNG).
In recognition of these hazards, the Department of Labor finalized a rule requiring proper fit for PPE in construction in December 2024.
Learn more about these topics by consulting CPWR’s data bulletin on women in construction, NIOSH’s Science Blog on PPE fit in construction, and NIOSH’s workshop on equitable PPE .
The following list of examples of commercially available PPE is maintained to help employers and workers find PPE that fits a range of anthropometry. This list is updated regularly; email [email protected] if you have recommendations for items to add or change.
COMPANIES FOCUSED EXCLUSIVELY ON WOMENSWEAR:
- ARX
- Covergalls
- Dawson Workwear
- Dovetail Workwear
- EMBHER
- Juno Jones
- Libaerty Workwear
- Red Ants Pants
- Rugged Peach Workwear
- See Her Work
- Seraphina Safety Apparel
- The Dirty Seahorse
- Xena Workwear
CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR:
- Various Work Boots and Shoes by Timberland
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Chippewa
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Ariat
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Lehigh Outfitters
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Carolina Shoes
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at SafetyGear
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Steel-Toe-com
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Quad City Safety, Inc
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Xena
- Various Work Boots and Shoes at Juno Jones
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Grainger
- Various Brands of Work Boots and Shoes at Rockport Works
- Various Construction Footwear from Keen
- Various Construction Footwear from Red Wing Shoes
CONSTRUCTION FOOTWEAR COLD CLIMATE ACCESSORIES:
HEARING PROTECTION:
- Radians Retail Custom Molded Earplugs
- Radians Women’s Lowset 21 Earmuff NRR 21 dB
- HexArmor accuFit Disposable Earplugs NRR 30 dB
- Various Brands at Northern Safety
HARNESSES FOR PERSONAL FALL ARREST SYSTEMS:
- French Creek FRC01-872 Full Body Harness OSHA Compliant
- 3M DBI-SALA ExoFit NEX 613M2016 Cross-Over Harness AS/NZS 1891 Compliant
- Honeywell Miller Full Body Harness Model E570 OSHA Compliant
- Various FallTech FT-One Fit Fully Body Harnesses OSHA Compliant
- Contour Construction Harness
PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR:
- Various MSA Hard Hats ANSI Z89.1 Type I, Class E & G Compliant
- Bullard AboveView Helmet ANSI 1 Type 1, Class E & G Compliant
- Bullard S51 – Standard Series Cap Style Helmet with Ratchet Suspension ANSI 1 Type 1, Class E & G Compliant
HIGH VISIBILITY CLOTHING:
- DOME75 Class 2 HiVis Contrast Women’s Heavy Duty Surveyors Vest with ProPocket
- 3A SAFETY C3WIN5301 Jacket ANSI 107 Class 3 Compliant
- ERB SAFETY S720 Type R Vest ANSI 107 Class 2 Compliant
- GSS Safety Vest 7803/7804 Class 2 Compliant
- Kishigo Unisex Soft Shell Jacket JS144 ANSI 107 Class 3 Compliant
- Kishigo Women’s Soft Shell Jacket – Class 3
- Kishigo Women’s Premium Brilliant Series Vest – Class 3
- Kishigo Women’s Fitted Vest Class 2
- Kishigo Women’s All Mesh Contrast Vest – Class 2
- Kishigo Women’s Ultimate Construction Vest – Class 2
- Kishigo Women’s Heavy Duty Surveyors Vest – Class 2
- Radians SVL1-2ZGD Type R Vest ANSI 107 Class 2 compliant
- MCR Safety LVCL2ML Type R 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 2 Compliant
- Utility Pro Wear UHV995 HiVis Women’s WarmUP Insulated Safety Vest
- Utility Pro Wear UHV661 HiVis Contractor Vest
- Utility Pro Wear UHV825 Women’s Rain Jacket
- Utility Pro Wear UHV973 Women’s Rain Pant
- Utility Pro Wear UHV667 Women’s 1/4 Zip Soft Shell Jacket
- Utility Pro Wear UHV662 Nylon Women’s Safety Vest with Pockets
- SeeHerWork Women’s ANSI 107 Class 2 Safety Vest
- ERB W651 Type R Women’s Soft Shell Safety Jacket ANSI 107 Class 2 Compliant
- Blaklader Women’s Hi-Vis Softshell ANSI/ISEA 107-2015 Type R, Class 2
- S5021/S5022 HiVis Women’s Black Series Heavy Duty Surveyors Safety Vest ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R, Class 2
- Portwest PW382 – PW3 Hi-Vis Women’s Winter Jacket ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2
- Portwest PW385 – PW3 Hi-Vis Women’s Stretch WorkPants
- Women Hi Vis Safety Vest from Lino Safety
- Various Options from National Safety Gear
- The Original Vest by ARX
FLAME RESISTANT CLOTHING:
- Carhartt FR Rugged Flex Coverall NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 Compliant
- Carhartt FR Full Swing Quick Duck Jacket NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 Compliant
- Carhartt FR Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Canvas Work Pant NFPA 70E and NFPA 2112 Compliant
- HERS Coveralls by Sentinel Safety
- FR Long Sleeve Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt by Kishigo
- Various FR Work Apparel by Bulwark
- Various FR Work Apparel by True North Gear
- Various FR Work Apparel by Lapco
- Various FR Work Apparel by Wrangler
- Various FR Pants by Embher (Includes wide leg option)
- Various FR Apparel by DRIFIRE
- Various FR Apparel by Tyndale
- Various FR Apparel by Keltek
- Various FR Apparel by Seraphina Safety Apparel
SAFETY GLASSES AND GOGGLES:
- Bouton Eva Petite Safety Glasses ANSI 1+ Compliant
- CR2 – CR2 Series Safety Glasses – Women Inspired Design
- Delta Plus Avion Women’s Safety Glasses ANSI 1+ Compliant
- Radians Mirage Small Safety Eyewear ANSI 1+ compliant
- Gateway Safety StarLite SM ANSI 1+ Compliant
- Gateway Safety Scorpion SM ANSI 1+ Compliant
- Pyramex I-Force Slim
- Various Safety Glasses by Girl Power at Work ANZI 1+ Compliant
- Various prescription safety glasses options from RX safety
- Various options from CA Glasses
- Various options from Hyspecs
- Various options from Safety Glasses USA
SAFETY GLOVES:
- SeeHerWork Women’s Leather Work Gloves
- SeeHerWork Women’s Impact Work Gloves
- GP8-611 Girl Power Mechanic Gloves
- Various Brands of Safety Gloves at Radians
- Women’s SteelWorker Welding Gloves
- Women’s MIG Stick Welding Gloves
- HexArmor Helix® 3013IMP
- Various options from Spectra
MATERNITY OPTIONS:
- NSA Women’s DH Air Maternity Pant by Tyndale
- Maternity Overalls by Dovetail
- Maternity Work Pants by Dovetail
- ANSI Class 2 Type R Hi-Vis Maternity Long Sleeve Shirt by Rugged Peach
- Maternity Long Sleeve Button-Up
- Maternity Cargo Pant
BRAS:
- National Safety Apparel Control 0 Arc Flash Protection FR Sports Bra
- Debris Protection Athletic Work Bra
- FR Sports Bra
- Drifire DF2-762-SB Women’s Prime FR Mid-Weight Soft Compression Sports Bra
- Women’s Essential FR TechTM Active Fit Safety Bra
- Women’s Essential FR TechTM Active Racerback Safety Bra
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.
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.