Safety gear is supposed to be the one thing on site that just works. For a lot of tradeswomen, it doesn’t — because most PPE is still designed and sized around a “default” male body, and ill-fitting safety gear isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s genuinely less protective.
The short version (TL;DR)
- Research indicates roughly 70% of women don’t have access to properly fitting PPE, and around two-thirds report being directly hindered on the job because of it.
- In studies specifically of the Australian construction industry, women workers report low satisfaction across functional, protective and practical aspects of the PPE they’re issued.
- More broadly, roughly 74% of tradeswomen are exposed to unnecessary hazards due to poor-fitting gear, and around 40% have experienced a safety incident or injury directly related to their equipment not fitting properly.
- This isn’t a comfort issue dressed up as a safety issue — gloves that are too big reduce grip and dexterity, harnesses sized wrong don’t distribute fall-arrest forces correctly, and oversized hi-vis or coveralls can catch on machinery or obscure your visible silhouette.
- Properly fitted PPE for women is increasingly available — the barrier is often what gets stocked and issued on site, not what exists on the market.
Why “unisex” PPE is really just men’s PPE
Most standard PPE ranges were developed against male anthropometric data as the default — meaning “unisex” sizing in practice usually means scaled-down men’s gear rather than genuinely designed for a different body shape and size range. This shows up as gloves that bunch at the fingertips reducing dexterity and grip, harnesses that don’t sit correctly across a different torso and hip shape, and coveralls or hi-vis that are baggy in ways that create genuine hazards, not just an unflattering fit.
Why this is a real safety issue, not just a comfort one
- Gloves that don’t fit reduce fine motor control and grip strength — directly relevant to tool handling and injury risk, not a minor inconvenience.
- Harnesses sized for a different body can fail to distribute fall-arrest forces the way they’re designed to, undermining the entire point of the equipment in a genuine fall event.
- Oversized hi-vis and workwear can catch on machinery, tools or materials, and loose fabric reduces the effectiveness of a visible safety silhouette designed to keep you seen around moving plant and vehicles.
- Boots and eyewear that don’t fit properly compromise the basic protection they’re meant to provide, in addition to being genuinely uncomfortable across a full shift.
The research on Australian construction specifically backs this up — studies of women in the industry report low satisfaction not just on comfort but on the functional and protective performance of the PPE they’re actually issued.
What can actually change this
- Ask directly whether properly fitted women’s PPE is available before accepting standard-issue gear that clearly doesn’t fit — this is a genuine, specific request, not an unreasonable one.
- Report fit problems as a safety issue, not just a comfort complaint — framing it accurately (reduced grip, harness fit, visibility) tends to get taken more seriously by employers and safety officers.
- Know that properly designed women’s-fit PPE genuinely exists in the current market across gloves, harnesses, hi-vis and boots — the gap is often in what gets stocked and issued, not in what’s available to order.
- Raise it collectively where possible — if you’re not the only woman on site or in your trade dealing with this, a shared, documented concern carries more weight with employers and suppliers than an individual complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Is this really a safety issue, or just about comfort?
It’s genuinely a safety issue — the research links poor PPE fit to real incidents and injuries, not just discomfort, because gear that doesn’t fit correctly doesn’t perform its protective function as designed.
Does properly fitted women’s PPE actually exist?
Yes — gloves, harnesses, hi-vis and boots designed for a different body shape and size range are increasingly available on the market. The barrier is often what employers stock and issue by default, not a lack of options.
What should I do if I’m only issued standard men’s-sized gear?
Raise it directly and specifically as a safety concern (grip, harness fit, visibility) rather than a general comfort complaint — this tends to be taken more seriously and is a reasonable, legitimate request under workplace health and safety obligations.
Is this a widespread problem or a minor one?
Research suggests it’s widespread — roughly 70% of women report not having access to properly fitting PPE, and a meaningful proportion report being directly hindered or even injured because of it.
This guide is general information only — not legal or safety advice. If you have concerns about PPE fit or safety, raise them with your employer, safety officer, or your state’s work health and safety regulator.
Sources:
Women Workforces’ Satisfaction with Personal Protective Equipment: A Case of the Australian Construction Industry — peer-reviewed study, MDPI Buildings journal
EHS Leaders — New Report Highlights Inequities in Women’s PPE
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