One Size Does Not Fit All: Keeping Women Safe on the Job Site

Workwear for All

High-visibility safety apparel isn’t usually optional. Workers have to wear it to keep them safe. And if safety is the ultimate goal, then wearing HVSA that fits properly—and is ANSI compliant—Is essential. Imagine wearing a vest that’s too big and as you’re walking by a piece of heavy machinery, it gets caught on something and you’re pulled in or it pulls a lever and sends something into motion. Wearing workwear that fits properly can literally be lifesaving.

Why Settling for Any Size Isn’t a Solution

Ask manufacturers who don’t have women-specific workwear and they’ll tell you to simply size down. Here’s why that’s a problem—women’s bodies are shaped differently. Women have narrower shoulders than men, but can need more room in the chest. Women’s hips tend to be wider, but their waists are narrower. Their hands are smaller, fingers narrower. 

Occupational Health & Safety magazine complemented this idea, stating, “Just as there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all PPE, it is unrealistic to expect that PPE based on male anthropometric (body measurement) data would fit women properly. When PPE does not fit properly, it may fail to protect the worker against the hazards for which it was designed.*”

It’s not just a weight or size issue—it’s a fit issue. And poor fit can lead to decreased comfort, which can lead to workers not wearing their workwear. It’s a domino effect that can put lives at risk. Recommending a size smaller, or asking them to make do, is not in the best interests of female workers. They deserve to be just as safe as their male counterparts. So how do you fix that? It starts with the design.

How Kishigo Can Help

Kishigo has over a dozen products that were designed with female workers in mind. Take our new 1822 Women’s Class 3 Vest. 

It’s made with Ultra-Cool™ 100% polyester mesh panels to keep you cool and it delivers the visibility you need for both bright and low light conditions. Where it differs for women though is in the design. It’s crafted with narrower shoulders for a better fit, an elasticized waist, 4” hip slits for mobility, and a longer back for coverage, even when bending over.  

And because everyone can appreciate the bells and whistles, it features a padded neck to ensure you’re comfortable all day long and five pockets to keep all your tools at hand, including one for your tablet.

And the best part of all? It’s ANSI Class 3 compliant so women will know they’re wearing garments that will keep them safe day in and day out. Find out everything this vest offers here.

*https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2022/12/01/Making-PPE-Safer-by-Design.aspx