By TOM BURNS
The number of women on jobsites continues to grow, yet a critical area has lagged.
Standard PPE was designed for the body measurements of the average male worker, creating a significant vulnerability for women.
A subtle yet powerful update to the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.95(c) closes the “one-size-fits-all” era by explicitly requiring that equipment “properly fit” each affected employee. Ill-fitting “universal” sizes will no longer pass inspection. The shift recognizes women in construction. The industry is adapting to be more inclusive and make sure that women have equally safe and comfortable PPE.
Beyond safety considerations, properly fitting PPE is essential for equity and retention. Women in the historically male-dominated field are singled out by awkward gear, eroding confidence. Providing gear that fits sends a powerful message of respect and builds a workforce that feels valued and professional.
For construction leaders, the question is no longer if they should transition to equitable PPE, but how to do it effectively. This guide outlines steps to create a culture and jobsite that is safer for all employees.
Guide to Implementing a Proper-Fit PPE Program
- Start with an audit
The first step in any safety upgrade is recognizing hidden hazards. Oversized gear limits mobility and increases entanglement and fall risk. Excess fabric can catch on framing studs, scaffolding or machinery. Gloves that are too long make it harder to grip tools or climb ladders. My colleague and project engineer Christine Rafferty says women used to have to size up in a men’s vest just to get it to fit over their bust or hips, and it was very boxy and large on most women. - When uniformity matters
The goal is inclusion, not differentiation. Include women in the product selection process and look for vendors who can provide women’s cuts that visually match your standard gear.
When S. M. Wilson purchased 60 new vests designed specifically for women, the company used existing partner Midwestern Safety to solve the fit problem without creating a “pink” separation on the jobsite.
- Order for accurate measurements
PPE designed for women fails the proper fit test if it is the wrong size. Compare real measurements against the correct sizing guide. Ask suppliers if they offer onsite sizing or product samples.
Make sure to order for all team members who visit worksites, including operations employees.
- Apply the same principle to all gear
- Harnesses: On women, the traditional safety harness chest strap often sits too high, creating a choking hazard in a fall, and leg straps fail to secure wider hips, risking “slip-out” or suspension trauma.New configurations account for women’s bodies with articulating chest straps that sit away from the neck and bust while maintaining the sternum connection, and contoured hip straps that distribute fall forces across the thighs and buttocks rather than the spine or stomach.
- Head Protection:
New safety standards are replacing the iconic hard hat with safety helmets. This shift is doubly important for women to ensure head protection won’t slip off smaller heads. If you wear the helmet properly and you fall, you’re going to be sore, but you won’t sustain a traumatic brain injury.
S. M. Wilson replaced its entire fleet of hardhats for next-generation safety helmets with full head coverage, including side-impact protection, chin straps and adjustable suspension systems for a secure, custom seal for every head size.
- Gloves: Gloves designed for female hands ensure proper dexterity and grip, enabling them to fulfill their intended function.
- Boots: Boots made for men are often too wide for a woman’s foot, causing slippage and blisters. Some vendors offer safety footwear designed to fit the size and shape of women’s feet.
- Update your safety handbook
Make sure to immediately update your safety handbook to reflect policy changes that meet the new mandates. Team safety education should include topics like properly adjusting helmets and communicating with leadership when PPE no longer fits properly.
- Repeat audits regularly to account for size changes
This is not a one-and-done process. Conduct a full-team PPE size audit on a recurring basis for all employees. When a female worker becomes pregnant, invest in high-visibility, maternity PPE with features – such as expandable panels and adjustable waistbands – to accommodate a changing body.
The Future
While progress has been made, gaps remain. An emerging focus is preventing repetitive injuries by addressing the tool gap. The Center for Construction Research and Training reports that tools with grips are a leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, which affect tradeswomen at higher rates than men. Vendors are responding with lighter tools to reduce fatigue and ergonomic, slimmer grips so smaller hands can achieve a secure power grip.
We have made progress, but closing the PPE gender gap is an important, ongoing process.