Page 30 - OHS, July/August 2024

PPE: PPE FOR WOMEN
Properly fitting PPE may compromise the effectiveness of equipment, reduce protection for workers, decrease comfort and mobility, impair communication and sensory perception, and result in skin issues and allergies.
occupational safety and health.
A study by Oo and Lim (2023) analyzed women’s workforce
satisfaction with PPE in the Australian construction industry.6 This study examined worker satisfaction with FEA and reported a low satisfaction level with PPE. The research findings underscored the importance of addressing construction women’s PPE needs, espe- cially related to accessing properly fitting equipment.
PPE training emphasizes the need for employers and training organizations to review protocols and raise awareness regarding proper fit. Furthermore, PPE designers should consider compre- hensive user needs, and the FEA consumer needs model could guide design improvements. Manufacturers should make women- specific PPE more accessible. Positive PPE experiences can en- hance the employer-employee relationship and productivity.
Breaking the Cycle
There are more solutions to this ongoing problem for women work- ers in construction. Employees should prioritize proper training and education on the importance of correctly fitting PPE so that workers are educated on how ill-fitting PPE can increase risks of illness and injury. Training programs can focus on identifying cor- rectly fitting PPE and provide guidance on PPE selection.
This solution works only if employees have access to PPE de- signed to fit the unique anthropometry for women. Women have different body shapes; they may have smaller ear canals, and they may have smaller hands, feet, and heads. To help female workers with PPE issues:
■ Regular inspections and maintenance of PPE should be part of an OSH program.
■ Protocols for reporting and replacing ill-fitting PPE should be established.
■ Designers should consider the use of adjustable straps, ergo- nomic designs, and materials that promote breathability and flexibility. ■ Minor tailor-made protective clogging and equipment may
be necessary to ensure a proper fit for a worker.
The PPE supply chain involves feedback from employers to
manufacturers. Some roadblocks for employers include the avail- ability of gender-specific items, increased costs for the same prod- uct, and longer lead time when ordering for women. The OSHA General Industry Standard (29 CFR 1910) applies to a wide range of industries and workplaces. It mandates that PPE must fit prop- erly to ensure worker safety, with a focus on providing correctly fitted PPE to all employees (OSHA, 2012a).7 The OSHA Construc- tion Standard (29 CFR 1926.95) does not explicitly require PPE to fit properly (OSHA, 2012b).8 But that does not mean that all work- ers are not entitled to correctly fitted PPE. Regardless of industry, all workers should receive correctly fitted PPE.
To quote Reagon Tonda from California Polytechnic State Uni- versity, San Luis Obispo, “Safety first means safety fits” from her paper and social media campaign designed to bring awareness to the lack of correct PPE for women (2023).9
It is reasonable to ask for change in the PPE industry. Improve- ments for women may improve protection and comfort, eliminate the risk of impaired communication, reduce psychological impacts, and improve self-efficacy and work satisfaction for women. That translates into a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace.
Christine Robinson, Ph.D., is a professor with Columbia Southern University’s College of Safety & Emergency Services.
REFERENCES
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS]. (2022). Table A-18. Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Current Population Survey. (Retrieved from Employed persons by detailed industry, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (tinyurl.com/54dnnaar)
2. ABC SoCal Staff. (2023, December 8). Building Equality: Empowering Women in Construction. Blog.
3. Brisbine BR, Radcliffe CR, Jones MLH, Stirling L, Coltman CE. Does the fit of personal protective equipment affect functional performance? A systematic review across occupational domains. PLoS One. 2022 Nov 30;17(11):e0278174. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278174. PMID: 36449531; PMCID: PMC9710848.
4. Wagner, H., Kim, A. J., & Gordon, L. (2013). Relationship between Personal Protective Equipment, Self-Efficacy, and Job Satisfaction of Women in the Building Trades. Journal of Construction Engineering & Management, 139(10), tinyurl.com/my2ra7hr
5. Onyebeke LC, Papazaharias DM, Freund A, Dropkin J, McCann M, Sanchez SH, Hashim D, Meyer JD, Lucchini RG, & Zuckerman NC. (2016). Access to properly fitting personal protective equipment for female construction workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 59(11), 1032–1040. tinyurl.com/ mwypdcxz
6. Oo, B. L., & Lim, B. T. H. (2023). Women Workforces’ Satisfaction with Personal Protective Equipment: A Case of the Australian Construction Industry. Buildings (Basel), 13(4). https://doi-org.libraryresources.columbiasouthern. edu/10.3390/buildings13040959
7. Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA]. (2012a). Regulations (Standards-29 CFR 1910.132).
8. Occupational Safety & Health Administration [OSHA]. (2012b). Regulations (Standards-29 CFR 1926).
9. Tonda, R. K. (2023). Safety First Means Safety Fits: An Awareness Campaign for Inclusive PPE Designed for Women. Senior Projects. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. tinyurl.com/2tb4b2sj
28 Occupational Health & Safety | JULY/AUGUST 2024
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