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women have side seams designed to allow movement without coming untucked and feature a uniquely designed chest pocket to fifit a woman because she still needs se- cured storage. Its new FR pants, as well as a pleated FR coverall, were also designed based on female anthropometric data to help ensure that women have full range of motion, enabling them to move, bend and work in comfort. All of these garments are UL-certified to meet NFPA 2112.
A representative from the FR garment manufacturer summed it up by saying, “We want comfortable FR to be the first thing that comes to mind as a woman puts on her lightweight and breathable shirts, pants and coveralls that we have designed specifically for women. Because putting yourself in harm’s way shouldn’t require putting yourself in men’s clothing.”
Delivering on Safety
and DE&I Commitments
Growing awareness, combined with strong corporate commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), have resulted in some major employers taking action to ensure that every worker—regardless of gender—has access to PPE that fits properly. One example is Dow, a global materials science company that has a portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses. The decision to address the need for PPE designed specifically for women began at the company’s 1,500-acre petrochemical manufacturing complex in Plaquemine, Louisiana.
At this facility, the company manu- factures chemicals used in thousands of everyday household products. More than 30 percent of the workforce at this site are women, a majority of whom are engineers. When talking to women engineers across the plant, there were several common issues they faced that made addressing the prob- lem of ill-fitting FR garments a priority.
Following a successful site wear trial of newly available FR pants, shirts and cover- alls designed specifically for women, Dow is now in the process of making these gar- ments available at all of its sites in North America.
“Making clothes that are safer for women and that allow them to do their job without distraction or worry is an easy win and we’re glad to bring this solution to the women of Dow so we can continue
our tradition of safety,” said Kait Culy, Se- nior Industrial Hygiene Specialist at Dow Louisiana Operations.
Conclusion
Within the last few years, the need for PPE designed specifically for women has finally become a major topic for discussion. Although long overdue, this growing awareness combined with the fact that more women continue to enter the workforce in traditionally male- dominated industries will undoubtedly drive increased demand and hopefully result in more PPE manufacturers expanding their product offerings in the very near future.
There is still so much work to be done, but we are encouraged by the progress that has been made recently and are look- ing forward to the day when there are more inclusive PPE options available to all women in the workforce.
Genevieve Baziw is the Global Marketing Communications Lead for the thermal apparel business of DuPont Personal Protection.
Amber Izworkski is a Global Account Manager for DuPont Personal Protection concentrating on industrial mechanical protection.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/womens- databook/2021/home.htm
2. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/ oil-and-gas/our-insights/how-women-can-help- fill-the-oil-and-gas-industrys-talent-gap
3. https://www.api.org/-/media/Files/Policy/ Jobs/Women-and-Minorities-in-oil-natural-gas- industry.pdf
4. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/ regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.132
5. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/ regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910Su bpartIAppB
6. https://ehsdailyadvisor.blr.com/infographic/ infographic-safety-the-human-factor-sponsored- by-safestart/
7. https://community.assp.org/wss
8. https://www.assp.org/docs/default- source/default-document-library/ assp_women_and_safety_report_0419. pdf?sfvrsn=28&utm_campaign=general&utm_ content=1556290079&utm_ medium=social&utm_source=facebook
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