Men and women come in all different shapes and sizes. So does personal protective equipment (PPE), yet too often, workers find themselves wearing ill-fitting protective gear that may be, at best, uncomfortable and at worst, dangerous, according to “Industrial Safety and Hygiene News.”
The
International Safety Equipment Association
(ISEA) is reminding employers that properly fitting PPE is vital to workplace safety. Why do so many workers end up in protective garments that don’t fit them? The problem, according to the ISEA, is that some employers find it easier to order one or two common sizes in bulk — often large or XL — without regard for physical variations in employees.
Some employers – particularly in construction - also tend to ignore the need for PPE sizes that fit women. With women representing approximately 9% of the construction workforce, according to the
National Association of Women in Construction
, proper fit is an issue affecting a significant number of workers.
ISEA says it is partnering with groups including the
American Society of Safety Professionals
(ASSP) and its common interest group, Women in Safety Excellence (WISE), to help educate employers and other stakeholders about the need to provide PPE in a range of sizes.
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