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Personal protective equipment and women

Issue date

Download Personal protective equipment and women (PDF)

Guidance for workplace representatives on ensuring it is a safe fit.

The findings in the report are based on 2,655 responses to a TUC survey and 3086 responses to a Prospect/WES survey.

This report covers:

  • The law on personal protective equipment
  • Problems with PPE for women
  • Examples - Case study
  • Taking action

The TUC is calling on employers to:

  • avoid suppliers who do not provide a range of sizes for men and women, and ensure that their suppliers have properly assessed the appropriateness of their equipment to women and men
  • work with trade bodies to pressure manufacturers and suppliers to provide a full range of PPE
  • make sure that they provide the same range of sizes for women as for men
  • ensure that women try on several sizes or types of PPE before it is issued to ensure it is best fit
  • let staff feedback on the suitability of PPE
  • work with safety committees and trade union health and safety representatives to ensure that the correct range of suitable PPE is provided.
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