Consensus: Lack of Proper PPE for Women Is Dangerous

Ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety vests, gloves and fall harnesses, is putting women in trades at risk and adversely affecting morale, Construction Dive reports. The report was based on feedback from The Safety Rack, a social media network that reviews PPE for women, and the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR). In an informal survey, CPWR found that nearly nine out of 10 women said they experienced difficultly finding well-fitting PPE. Some respondents said they found and purchased PPE on their own, “and thought, therefore, it wouldn’t be tough for employers to do so on their behalf.” As the construction industry will need half a million more workers in 2023, demand for labor is high. Roughly 14% of construction workers are women — the highest it’s ever been — but there is still room for improvement. Be sure to look for a story in the May issue of ELEVATOR WORLD, “Opportunities for All” that describes how Otis is addressing the labor shortage through supporting women. Another piece, “Bill’s Memo,” offers a more general, personal look at how a single decision helped changed an industry for the better.