Personal protective equipment is intended to keep people safe. Yet for many construction workers, PPE that does not fit correctly can itself become a risk.
At a recent Constructing Clients Leadership Group Health, Safety and Wellbeing Forum, Katy Robinson of East Riding of Yorkshire Council shared her work to improve access to inclusive PPE. Her campaign began with her own experience as an apprentice quantity surveyor, when standard “unisex” clothing and footwear were often too large and unsuitable for her frame.
This is far from an isolated issue. Research presented to the group found that 94% of women and 56% of men surveyed had experienced problems with ill-fitting PPE. Poorly fitting footwear can cause pain and blisters, oversized clothing can catch on machinery, and specialist equipment such as harnesses may not provide adequate protection if it cannot be adjusted correctly. These practical problems can also send a damaging message to workers: that the industry was not designed with them in mind.
The good news is that inclusive PPE is increasingly available. The challenge is often awareness. Procurement and health and safety teams may not realise that products designed for different body shapes, sizes and requirements already exist. Employers should speak to their PPE suppliers, review the options in their catalogues and ensure workers can access appropriate products rather than accepting a one-size-fits-all approach.
The new inclusive PPE standard, BS 30417, provides guidance for organisations on procuring and providing suitable equipment. Clients can also use their influence by incorporating inclusive PPE expectations into contracts and asking contractors to demonstrate how they meet the needs of their workforce and supply chain.
Forum members highlighted that progress is particularly important on smaller sites, where limited resources and fragmented guidance can make good practice harder to implement. Clear, practical information and simple tools could help small and medium-sized businesses take action without adding unnecessary complexity.
Inclusive PPE is not simply about comfort or appearance. It is about safety, dignity and creating workplaces in which everyone can perform effectively. The first step is straightforward: ask workers whether their PPE fits, listen to their experience and act on what they say.
By making inclusive provision the norm, clients, contractors and suppliers can help create a construction industry that is safer, more welcoming and better equipped for everyone.
Are you a Construction Client? Get in touch to find out more about how you can get involved with the Construction Clients Leadership Group.