WOMEN FORESTERS’ SAFETY WEAR WIN
Following Unite calls for improved PPE that is suitable for the job and fits all workers properly, female forest workers are now getting purpose-built safety workwear, writes Keith Hatch.
Unite safety reps in many sectors, particularly forestry and construction, have long campaigned for PPE that is designed for female workers, and last autumn Forestry England announced that it had been working with a manufacturer to produce suitable safety wear.
Previously in Landworker forestry worker and former Unite rep Lorna Bailey-Towler explained, “Workers in forestry use a variety of equipment, one of the most dangerous, and commonly used, are chainsaws.
“There is specific PPE that must be worn when using chainsaws, and this often isn’t designed with women in mind. We sometimes end up wearing Extra Small size, which is actually dangerous to use as it can restrict movement.”
Forestry England said that development would finally bring
an end to years of women using ill-fitting men’s workwear that compromised both safety and comfort, and female workers would be supplied with chainsaw protection equipment designed specifically for their bodies.
The organisation has been working with manufacturer Arbortec, and consulting female forest workers extensively over two years to test kit and gain feedback throughout the design process.
Fahra Collins, Forestry England training delivery manager, said, “We’re thrilled to finally offer our female colleagues the properly fitting equipment they deserve. This is safety-driven and also about comfort, ensuring every member of our workforce feels valued and protected while doing the important work of caring for our nation’s forests.”
Women working in sectors that require PPE will say that the move is not before time.
In 2017 a TUC survey found that 57 per cent of women said ill-fitting PPE hindered their work, impacting both
7 uniteLANDWORKER Summer 2026
safety and inclusion across many industries.
Yet it took until September 2025 for things to really change following the introduction of a new standard for inclusive PPE that applies across all sectors, including agriculture.
The new standard, BS 30417 Provision of inclusive personal protective equipment (PPE) guide, means employers in the UK will have to take the issue seriously, ensuring PPE fits all their workers properly and offers the protection they need.
Sara Gibbs, Standards Development Manager at BSI, said, “Inclusive PPE is a critical topic for the professional clothing, workwear, and PPE industry as it addresses the fundamental need for safety and comfort for all workers, regardless of their size, shape, or gender.”
Sara explained that BS 30417 focuses on “the provision rather than just the design of protective equipment” and that by “adopting inclusive PPE standards, we can bridge the gap in PPE provision and ensure that no worker is left unprotected due to ill-fitting gear.”
Alamy
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