More Than 4 in 5 Women Have Trouble Finding Correctly Fitting PPE 'Regularly' or 'Once in a While,' New Poll Shows
The poll results from J.J. Keller were released at the start of Women in Construction Week, occurring from March 5 to 11 this year.
- By Alex Saurman
- Mar 10, 2023
A recently published poll from J.J. Keller shows a majority of women that need PPE at work have difficulties finding PPE that fits correctly.
According to a press release, 50 percent of 100 women, all who must wear PPE for their occupations, polled said they “regularly” have trouble finding well-fitting PPE. An additional 34 percent said this happens “once in a while,” while the rest reported not having trouble.
The poll also looked at the relationship between poor PPE fit and feelings of safety. More than half (54 percent) of 77 women respondents said it impacts their feeling of safety “a lot,” with 25 percent reporting “a little bit,” per the press release. Less than one in four (21 percent) said PPE that fits poorly doesn’t impact their feelings of safety.
"Too often, women have been stuck with the 'shrink it and pink it' mentality of PPE manufacturers — if there was anything offered at all," said Bowen Engineering Safety Administrator Autumn Strickler in the press release. "Correctly fitted PPE is so important for safety reasons and for making your employees feel valued."
These results were released at the beginning of Women in Construction Week, celebrated March 5 to 11 this year. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), which has been hosting the week since 1998, offers a variety of resources in its toolboxes and events for employers and employees looking to partake. To view the toolboxes, visit wicweek.org.
About the Author
Alex Saurman is a former Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety,who has since joined OH&S’s client services team. She continues to work closely with OH&S’s editorial team and contributes to the magazine.