HEALTH AND SAFETY
CUT YOUR CLOTH S
A report from PPE supplier MyWorkwear says that engineering lags other sectors when providing adequate PPE for women. Here we explore why the issue must be addressed
afety equipment is of course essential for mining engineers, and companies need to ensure they take appropriate safety
measures to ensure their staff are protected from mining disasters. The industry is responsible for around 15,000 accidents a year according to a report in the Journal of Safety Research (2023). In addition to mine safety
products such as breathing apparatus, communication and monitoring systems, operators must consider personal protective equipment (PPE). Such equipment includes hard hats, footwear and protective clothing. Women are underrepresented in the
global mining workforce, making up just estimated 8%-17% depending on the geography according to research by McKinsey and Co (2021). Although the women in engineering mining roles are even less represented, there are still significant numbers. More than a quarter of the women mentioned in a 2022 report published by the advocacy group Women in Mining were working as engineers. Despite this there are still significant
issues with adequate equipment. A 2023 survey of 130 women in mining, construction and quarrying conducted by Ground Engineering found that 80% have been provided with PPE that does not fit them in a working environment. A statement on the IWIM website
(IWIM, is another non-profit organisation advancing equity within the sector, reads): “Employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of everyone in the workplace by providing correctly-fitting PPE.” Despite this, a new study by
personalised workwear and PPE supplier, MyWorkwear, has shown that engineering is still one of the least inclusive industries for women,
32
www.engineerlive.com
The Steel Blue brand provides PPE specifically for women in hazardous enviroments
and a release from the company states that this might “inhibit further growth of female representation within the sector”. The study, which also looked at
maternity pay, the gender pay gap and menopause, found the engineering sector to be lagging other more inclusive industries for women when workwear and these other issues were considered. In fact, according to its calculations, engineering scored just 32.9 out of a possible 100 points, compared with corporate and business sectors which scored 67.2 out of 100. Gayle Parker, commercial director at
MyWorkwear explained that there is an increasing variety of options available for women within the workwear space: “A variety of PPE items now come in women’s fit, including hi-vis items such as jackets and vests as well as trousers.”
Although there has been much
talk about new technologies such as 3D printing enabling increased access to PPE for frontline workers, with companies such as Jacobs, GE Power and Eaton exploring this space, Gayle said: “We don’t believe that it’s technology as such that is driving change, but rather demand and research. Owing to the increase in demand, manufacturers are speaking to women to find out where the issues lie. This understanding is then enabling them to create garments that fit more appropriately while still providing the safety necessary for PPE.”
For more information visit:
www.myworkwear.co.uk and
www.womeninmining.org.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
