One Size Fits None

One of the most critical components of PPE is fit. A secure, comfortable fit helps increase worker safety and compliance. Adapting PPE designs so they can properly fit women, who are generally smaller than their male counterparts, is critical. A more slender style of protective eyewear, narrower ear plugs, and hand protection sized small, XS, or even XXS, should be evaluated to ensure the appropriate safety products are provided to the women on any workforce.

What Are the Safety Risks?

If you think about it, the average person doesn’t buy clothes or shoes without taking size into consideration. Similarly, we shouldn’t expect PPE to provide a universal fit. Safety products that do not fit  workers properly can pose a safety risk. For example, loose-fitting gloves can make it difficult to securely grip or handle various objects. This can increase hand fatigue, cause objects to be dropped or mishandled, or the removal of the workers’ gloves, which effectively removes their protection and exposes their hands to injury.

Evaluate Your Safety Program

Finding the appropriate sizes of PPE to properly outfit the entire workforce should be a key component of any safety program. Protective Industrial Products (PIP) continues to adapt and evaluate PPE designs, ensuring options are available to be able to properly fit all members of the workforce. 

TOP 5 PIP Products to Consider for Women

1. 
   Eva® Protective Eyewear
   
   Designed to fit women, with features that provide a more secure fit to slender faces

• 
  MaxiFlex® Ultimate™
  
  The #1 industrial glove is available in sizes as small as XXS

• 
  MaxiFlex® Cut™
  
  MaxiFlex® with cut protection, available in sizes as small as XS

• 
  Compact X-Emboss Disposable Ear Plugs
  
  Smaller contoured design for narrower ear canals

• 
  Hi-Vis Vests
  
  The updated ANSI 107 standard now allows for true size small vests