Why Unisex PPE Doesn’t Work for Women and What to Do About It

Luckily, some suppliers, such as PRO-SAFE, provide sizing based on hand measurements, including palm width, wrist circumference and total hand length.

Read More: How To Pick The Right PPE: Outer Protective Gear

Before ordering, check the product’s spec sheet and choose the proper size for each worker based on those measurements. If your employees tend to layer up—for example, wearing a single-use glove to protect against contaminants under a cut-resistant glove for food processing—keep the extra bulk in mind when selecting the right fit.

Protective Head Gear for Women

Unisex gear that protects the head and face—think hard hats, safety glasses and respirators—is often too large or wide on women, who typically have smaller heads and narrower faces than men.

 When eyewear is too wide, it may slip down the bridge of the nose, where it might either fall off completely or workers might take it off in frustration, leaving their eyes unprotected.

Similar problems exist with respirator masks, which are more likely to fail a fit test for female employees than male employees, according to a recent study by the University of Southampton.

Rather than opting for universal sizing in headwear and face protection, choose sized or adjustable options to fit each employee.

Select respirators and masks with adjustable straps, such as 3M’s half mask respirator with 4-point suspension, for a snug fit. The same goes for hard hats—forgo universal sizing and order an inner suspension that fits an employee’s head circumference for optimal safety and comfort.

Instead of ordering safety glasses in a universal size, meaning they are wide enough to fit most faces, get glasses that come in a range of sizes, and consider a pair with adjustable temples, such as UVEX’s framed safety glasses, to ensure that they fit each person just right. 

Women's Safety Shirts and Shoes

Clothing—including shirts, vests and footwear—is often where sizing differences are most obvious. After all, everyday clothing comes in a wide range of sizes and styles to fit different bodies.

Since safety apparel doesn’t, the added bulk on women or people with smaller-than-average bodies can restrict motion, making it hard to work comfortably and increasing the risk of excess fabric being caught in machinery.

Footwear made for men can be wide and heavy on women’s feet, leading to blisters and trouble walking that could result in short- or long-term musculoskeletal pain.

To mitigate the safety concerns that come along with ill-fitting apparel, many brands are beginning to introduce lines tailored to better fit women’s shoulders, waists and chests.

In some cases, that even includes maternity sizing for women who are pregnant. The shift toward PPE made for all genders and body sizes, rather than a single standard, is a positive sign of the growing diversity in the manufacturing industry.

How have you helped workers find the right fit for PPE? Share your tips in the comments below.