By Elizabeth Johnston

There are more than 18 million female workers in the U.S. and more than 1 million in Canada. That doesn't include the women who own and operate their own businesses, seasonal workers or individual women who work only occasionally. Protective work wear is mandatory for many of these women. But as we discussed last week, little if any of the equipment and workwear available are designed for the female form.

What's the Problem?

Why aren't women getting the equipment they need? To answer this question, we need to examine how equipment is bought and sold.

Protective equipment is generally purchased by companies for use by their workers. Large companies typically have purchasing departments with head buyers or purchasing agents. Buying is generally based on the company's annual budget. In many cases, equipment suppliers bid for a company's business. But some companies prefer to deal with the same supplier year after year. Neither of these buying methods accommodates the needs of the female worker.

On the sellers' side, there is simply a lack of suppliers and outlets. Female equipment is considered a niche market. Although there are some small companies that serve it, many of them have gone out of business for lack of support from the industry.

Consequently, the PPE being traded is men's wear. Or, the equipment is unisex - that is, essentially equipment patterned after the male body with some minor adjustments.

What's the Solution?

What can be done to resolve the problem of supplying women with the equipment and work wear they need in a male-dominated workplace? Here are a few recommendations:

• There should be a centralized directory of equipment and clothing requirements for women. OSHA and Canadian Occupational Health and Safety regulators should help create this directory.
• Manufactures and suppliers of women's PPE should keep their own reference directories and make them available not just to buyers but to trade associations, the Women's Bureau in the U.S., the Women's Directorate in Canada, apprentice training facilities, unions and other places where women may have access to this information.
• Women workers should demand a say in their company's PPE ordering process and not passively accept the uncomfortable and unsafe equipment presented to them.
• Where there are just a few women in the company they should be allowed to shop for themselves and be reimbursed or have an allowance to buy the protective clothing or equipment they need.
• Companies that buy large quantities of PPE, including government agencies, should have their purchasing departments or purchasing agents be more supportive of small companies serving the women's PPE market instead of giving them cold brush off when approached.
• Health and safety trade shows, conferences and speakers should address the needs of women in the workplace regarding PPE.

Conclusion

The trend of women assuming positions in the workplace traditionally occupied by men is no passing fad. It's a societal change. That means the PPE challenge must be resolved and resolved right now. The longer it takes to equip the female worker with appropriate PPE, the more avoidable injuries and illnesses we can expect.

EDITOR'S NOTE

Next Week: Your Views

One of the biggest reasons we created SafetyXChange was to promote dialog. So, while Elizabeth's series has ended, the discussion is just beginning. Elizabeth's story about the female worker and the need for appropriate PPE has provoked a lot of mail - from amen's to bitter disagreement. Next week, we'll share some of the member responses. If you want to weigh in, you still have time to send us an e-mail: glennd@bongarde.com, or catherinej@bongarde.com.

WOMEN & WORKPLACE INJURIES

A Statistical View

Fatal Occupational Injuries (2004)

Non-Fatal Occupational Injuries & Illnesses By Days Missed (2003)

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

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