Is your PPE fit for purpose?
Almost six in ten members who took part in a Prospect survey in 2016 said their Personal Protective Equipment sometimes, or significantly, hampered their work.
Almost six in ten members who took part in a Prospect survey in 2016 said their Personal Protective Equipment sometimes, or significantly, hampered their work.
And just 29 per cent of the women who took part said the PPE they wear at work was designed for women.
Trousers, overalls, jackets and gloves were identified as the items least likely to provide a suitable fit.
The findings were the starting point for many conversations about the status of women in traditionally-male industries.
The report also called for action from employers to provide all workers with suitable PPE that allows them to work safely, effectively and with dignity.
Three years on, we want to measure employers’ progress, find out if things have improved and target our next actions.
Prospect senior deputy secretary Sue Ferns said: “We want to hear from workers of all genders, in all industries.
“We had more than 3,000 responses to our last survey – it would be great if we could match or better that. So please promote the survey and encourage your colleagues to complete it.”
The survey aims to find out:
- the overall effectiveness and comfort of your PPE
- how well it fits
- what is most important to you
- whether it hampers you at work
- whether you have had an accident or a near miss, as a result of inadequate or non-existent PPE
- if you have worked in unsuitable or inadequate PPE, or altered or avoided specific work activities due to lack of suitable PPE in the last year.
Links
You can find the 2019 survey here.
Read the story about the 2016 survey findings
Download the 2016 survey report, Women’s Personal Protective Equipment: One size does not fit all.