Ministers have been urged to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is “designed with the female anatomy in mind”
Labour MP Emma Hardy has highlighted the important role CIOB’s #PPEthatfits campaign has played in helping to drive change and improve the provision of inclusive PPE.
Yesterday (12 March), Hardy tabled the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Protected Characteristics) Bill, which would require employers to ensure that PPE provided at work to people with certain protected characteristics is suitable for the wearer.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Hardy said: “The Chartered Institute of Building has launched a ‘PPE that fits’ campaign to drive awareness of the way in which ill-fitting PPE is affecting health and safety on site while also hampering the industry’s ability to attract and retain a more diverse workforce.”
Hardy also referenced recent campaigns and initiatives across the industry, including the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s decision to mandate women-specific PPE across all its sites.
She added: “I understand that this campaigning is indeed leading to change and that an increase in women’s PPE provision has been seen since it began, but workers deserve a guarantee that they will be protected.”
Current regulations
During the adjournment debate, Hardy explained that while the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations (Amendment) 2022 were an important step forward when they came into force, they do not make specific mention of women.
“The world is finally waking up to the fact that women are not just smaller men, whether that is in the design of crash test dummies or in the creation, only three years ago, of the first anatomically accurate female 3D physiological model for medical students,” said Hardy.
“PPE needs to be designed with the female anatomy in mind. That also applies to the needs of others who are not catered for by a typical male body pattern.”
#PPEthatfits campaign
CIOB’s #PPEthatfits campaign was launched in July 2023 to help address widespread inequalities in PPE provision across the construction industry.
As part of the initiative, CIOB has established a dedicated website, which includes a global directory for buyers looking to purchase inclusive PPE.
For more information, visit ppethatfits.com.
