The share of women in the construction industry continues to climb. Although women pursuing a career in the trades have leaped over many obstacles, dressing the part in the male-dominated industry isn’t so easy. From a safety perspective, the “shrink and pink” approach to manufacturing female personal protective equipment (PPE) is tired and risky.
In light of Women in Construction week, BUILDER caught up with Kristin Hamilton, senior director of global product creation at Red Wing, to gauge the progression of women’s PPE, the risks involved, and how construction or trades safety managers can approach the concern.
From a safety perspective, what’s the biggest risk you see when women are required to wear PPE designed primarily for men?
Women having dedicated PPE is not just about style or preference, it is a true safety hazard. Fit is extremely important when it comes to the gear that is meant to keep us safe on a jobsite and if any of a worker’s PPE is ill-fitting, it’s not actually protecting them as it should.
The industry often uses a “shrink and pink” approach to women’s workwear. Why is that model not just inadequate, but potentially dangerous on a jobsite?
Particularly for women, if they’re wearing men’s PPE in a smaller size, generally speaking it tends to be oversized or hang loosely which is a risk for injury, but there is also something to be said about men and women’s body proportions and needs. For example, women tend to have a narrower heel of the foot then men do, so choosing a gender-specific work boot is important for comfort and feel. Similarly, hands come in all shapes and sizes, and gloves should demonstrate that as well. Workwear gloves should fit snugly–not tightly–and the ideal pair should have an adjustable fit.
What are some real-world examples of how ill-fitting PPE can increase injury risk for women?
When women are expected to make do with men’s workwear, it often ends up fitting oversized which can be very dangerous. Loose gloves and vests can catch in machinery and result in serious injury. Outside of jobsite incidents, incorrect PPE can also cause a lot of discomfort for the worker. Poorly fitting boots can lead to back pain and fatigue, and eventually chronic pain and wear and tear on the body. In what is already a very physical job, it’s even more important for trade workers to care for their bodies so that they can continue to feel strong for years to come.
Have you seen a connection between inclusive safety practices and improved retention or recruitment of skilled workers?
Absolutely. When women feel more comfortable, they’re more likely to be satisfied with their job. This is more important than ever given today’s skilled worker shortage. It also works in the reverse – when a company offers more customized PPE and commits to taking care of their employees, it attracts new workers. Inclusive safety practices reduce injury and incidents, and also signal that the company sees and values women in the trades.
What responsibility do safety managers and construction supervisors have when it comes to ensuring women have access to properly fitted PPE?
Safety professionals play an important role in ensuring workers have access to properly fitting PPE. Following safety guidelines is the baseline, but beyond that it’s about caring for the well-being of your employees. In a recent survey, more than 20% of female employees noted that they personally experienced a situation in which ill-fitting PPE caused an injury. In fact, poorly fitting PPE can actually cause more damage, so it’s even more important for safety managers to procure gender-specific options for workers. Safety managers have a true opportunity to make jobsites equally safe for all employees.
For companies that want to improve but don’t know where to start, what are the first steps you recommend to better accommodate women’s PPE needs?
Talk to an expert–it’s okay if you don’t have all the answers, a manufacturing partner can help guide you on the types of products and sizes that may best meet your team’s needs. There are plenty of options like reimbursement plans and vouchers that can help employees offset costs and your manufacturing contact may also point you in the right direction for the types of products and sizes that will best suit your needs.
Try to get your manufacturing partner in person, it helps more than you’d think. Whether it’s via a brand truck coming to the jobsite or visiting a retail location in person, encouraging workers to try product on and take advantage of tech like 3D measurements, gait tests, and pressure scans can take the guesswork out of finding the right fit.
How can companies audit their current PPE programs to identify gaps in protection for women on their crews?
First and foremost, talk to your employees. They are the ones who know firsthand whether they’re comfortable with the PPE they’re currently outfitted with and their feedback is key. This can be done through anonymous surveys, focus groups, or jobsite observations.
To complement the subjective feedback, monitor data–how often are incident reports being filed? Are you hitting compliance rates? You can also track how often workers are having to replace PPE which can indicate whether quality is an issue. Overall, it takes a combined approach that audits PPE programs effectively through employee feedback and data, but also jobsite observations and compliance with PPE.
In your experience, how does properly fitted PPE impact productivity, confidence, and job satisfaction among women in the trades?
Everyone wants to feel safe on the job–it’s a requirement in order to complete your task with confidence. Correct PPE empowers workers to feel more productive because they can reduce the hesitation. A comfortable and safe work environment is a more efficient work. When they have products they trust, they are naturally more confident, more effective, and more excited to come to work. Plus, it builds trust between the worker and employer. It shows the company cares about them and is invested in their well-being.
What role do manufacturers like Red Wing play in pushing the industry beyond the “shrink and pink” mindset?
Red Wing is committed to supporting safe work practices and exploring ways PPE can better meet the different needs of workers. While there’s more the industry can do, our focus is on developing tailored products that effectively meet the needs of workers across different job sites and demographics.
“Shrink and pink” is fueled from two sides: Safety professionals often assume women can simply wear men’s PPE and don’t see the demand, but on the other side, manufacturers don’t produce women-specific PPE because they believe there’s no market. Red Wing is working to support this change, and we encourage other manufacturers to join in as well.
How can women in construction advocate for safer, better-fitting PPE without feeling like they’re asking for special treatment?
Talk to your safety manager! Safety isn’t special treatment; it’s a basic right on the jobsite. Most companies have safety standards they are expected to uphold so don’t be afraid to voice if any of your PPE doesn’t fit. It can also help to frame it from a safety lens, so it feels less about personal preference. Explain that you are more prone to trip or fall in boots that don’t fit or catch on machinery if vests and clothing are loose.
Looking ahead, what changes do you hope to see across the construction industry to ensure PPE truly protects everyone on the jobsite?
In addition to fit, ensuring workers have quality products is one of the most important aspects of PPE. Investing in high-quality PPE is what is going to keep workers safe. It’s not about checking a box and grabbing the most cost-effective option, but about value and outfitting your workforce in trusted gear. As an industry, we need to collectively prioritize quality–even if you pay more upfront, a quality pair of boots or workwear will last you long and keep you safer.
“Shrink and pink” persists in the industry partly due to assumptions about one-size-fits-all PPE and practices that don’t always account for diversity of body types. It is important that we address these systemic factors to reduce risks and support workers’ safety and comfort.
