An unsuitable fit for women

Have industry and employers responded to calls for better fitting personal protective equipment?

Summary:

Three years ago, this journal reported research showing that many women working in hazardous jobs were unable to access correctly fitting personal protective equipment; that is, PPE specifically designed for women. Victoria Goldman finds out if the situation has improved.

The female employment rate is at an all-time high, at 72.4%1. Women are most likely to work in health and social work, followed by the wholesale and retail trade and then education. Only a small proportion of women work in what are traditionally seen as male-dominated industries, such as construction (14% of all jobs in this industry), transportation and storage (23%) and manufacturing (25%). However, the gender-balance of these industries is gradually changing, following recent drives to expand their female workforces…

 

Victoria Goldman is a freelance health writer and author.

Author: Goldman V

Tags construction emergency services gender health and safety ppe personal protective equipment tuc trades union congress

Occupational Health at Work August/September 2020 (vol. 17/2) pp35-39

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