Fit matters: Why PPE needs to be designed for women
Updated January 2023
By Makenzie Hoffman, QSSP | Safety Supplier Development Manager
By Makenzie Hoffman, QSSP | Safety Supplier Development Manager
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More women are in construction than ever before.
Essential PPE needs to match the workforce. As of 2018, women had become 10.3% of the construction workforce in the United States. Although the industry is still slanted heavily towards men, women are increasing their presence on the jobsite. By bringing their skills to the field, women have run into a fundamental challenge: the essential PPE for construction was not made with them in mind. With PPE, fit matters. Poorly fitting PPE is not only an inconvenience but also a safety hazard. Excess fabric can get caught in machinery. An improperly sized harness could fail to arrest a fall. As is always the case, PPE needs to adjust to the workforce wearing it. That is why Fastenal is collaborating with suppliers and women in the field to create PPE solutions that fit. Worth noting A negative attitude can develop if employees feel they weren’t provided with the right tools for the job. And negative attitudes can lead to carelessness, lack of focus, and distractions, all of which can cause injuries or worse. Providing proper PPE doesn’t just keep workers’ bodies safe, it can protect morale as well. 
Fastenal's stance
We’ve recognized a need for women’s PPE. Our goals are to create awareness in the industry while also providing women with inclusive PPE options. We hope to generate a dialogue with women in the field so that we can continue to develop and improve our PPE lines. Because Fastenal is working to determine what women need and want from construction PPE, we are eager to hear from anyone in the field. We want to work with you to identify challenges women may face in their day to-day work environments and then take new ideas and potential solutions to our product development team. Find the right fit A great solution begins with a good conversation. Look at what's available, and tell us about your PPE challenges. Then we can work with you to find the right fit. Vertical Divider
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Tell us how we can help you!
Send an email to [email protected] to get the conversation started. Find the Right Fit A great solution begins with a good conversation. Tell us about your PPE challenges, and we’ll work with you to find the right fit. fastenal.com/womens-ppe Like what you're seeing here? Subscribe to the Blue Print for FREE and get the magazine sent right to your address.
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