As the number of women working in the construction
industry continues to increase, the fit of PPE comes into question:
does the PPE fit the wearer according to manufacturer
specifications and does it fit the work being done according
to legislative guidelines or standards?
“In almost every situation, PPE is not gender-specific
and can be used by both men and women alike,” said Laura
Matos, senior safety advisor, Construction Safety Association
of Manitoba (CSAM). “The key to PPE is fit. PPE must fit the
task and fit the wearer.”
PPE for women has been available for more than a decade,
but recently more variety and sizes are emerging.
“Women bring tremendous value to the construction
industry, and while gender-neutral PPE can work, it’s certainly
nice to see more variety in PPE to make the industry
more inclusive and to find the right fit,” Matos said.
SAFETY
“Women, like men, come in all shapes
and sizes, and knowing exactly how
the equipment will fit correctly is key.”
– Laura Matos, Construction Safety Association of Manitoba
PHOTO: CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASSOCIATION OF MANITOBA
60 Q3 2020 www.pilingcanada.ca
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