Ensuring that personal protective equipment fits well is more than a fashion concern. Ill-fitting PPE puts female workers at real risk. Loose gear means a higher chance of snags, tangles and trip hazards. Oversized gloves reduce grip strength and dexterity. Boots that are too large increase the risk of slips and falls. Harnesses that aren’t designed for female body proportions can sit improperly on the chest and hips, affecting both comfort and fall protection performance.
Around 3 out of 4 tradeswomen are exposed to unnecessary hazards because of poor-fitting PPE, according to the International Safety Equipment Association, referencing data from CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. When PPE doesn’t align with a worker’s body, it can fail to provide the coverage, impact resistance or visibility it was certified to deliver.
Gear that doesn’t fit correctly also doesn’t protect correctly. Most “unisex” PPE is designed around male body proportions, with broader shoulders, longer limbs, and bigger hands and feet. Historically, PPE design has relied on anthropometric data sets that reflect male-dominated workforces.
Women trying to make that work are left with PPE that actively fights against its very purpose.
We’re not all built the same, and that’s the point
“Women are not small men,” said longtime safety professional and advocate Abby Ferri in an interview with the American Society of Safety Professionals. PPE should be designed with this in mind by accommodating differences in body shape – such as wider hips, narrower shoulders and different torso proportions – instead of shrinking designs based on the male body and forcing the largest growing group in the trades to “make it work.”
Proper fit is a core principle of effective hazard control. PPE is the last line of defense in the Hierarchy of Controls. When it’s poorly fitted, that last line weakens.
What happens when PPE doesn’t fit?
Discomfort leads to noncompliance. Workers skip or misuse PPE that doesn’t feel right. Rolling sleeves, removing gloves for dexterity or loosening harness straps are common adjustments. These workarounds leave workers more vulnerable to injuries and incidents.
Restricted movement means higher risk: PPE should work alongside the wearer; not be an obstacle they need to overcome to complete their tasks. If coveralls are too long or sleeves are too wide, they can catch on equipment. If gloves are oversized, workers may remove them when handling small components. When gear doesn’t fit properly, injury risk increases.
Fatigue, distraction and frustration result. Ill-fitting PPE causes discomfort and distraction, taking attention off the task. Poorly balanced hard hats, slipping safety glasses or improperly fitted fall protection creates ongoing irritation that can contribute to mistakes.
The benefits of proper PPE fit
Safety is first – and real. Fit and function are two sides of the same coin as it pertains to PPE. Workers are more protected when their gear fits as intended. That means better coverage, proper load distribution in fall protection systems, improved dexterity in gloves and reduced snag hazards. The result: fewer injuries, stronger compliance and more confidence in safety programs.
Recruitment and retention win. Want to attract more skilled women to your team and keep them there? Show them you care about their safety and comfort while working. Providing PPE that fits sends a clear message: You belong here. It signals that safety programs are built for the entire workforce, not just the majority.
Productivity increases. Comfortable workers are focused workers. When PPE isn’t a constant distraction, people can concentrate on the task at hand. Better fit reduces time spent adjusting gear, improves mobility and supports sustained performance throughout a shift.
Notes from the Department of Labor and OSHA
DOL and OSHA updated PPE rules for the construction industry in 2024. Employers are now explicitly required to provide properly fitting PPE to workers. This clarification reinforces what safety professionals have long known: Fit is not optional. It’s part of compliance. Inclusive PPE isn’t just good practice – it’s a regulatory expectation.
Fixing the PPE problem
Manufacturers are waking up. Some are stepping up, designing PPE specifically for women, with improved patterning, better proportioning and expanded size ranges. That includes gloves with adjusted finger lengths, high-visibility apparel with tailored fits and fall protection systems engineered for female body geometry. This is the first step toward a jobsite where every employee has PPE that fits and properly protects.
Employers: The ball’s in your court. Organizations and safety managers need to take a hard look at the gear that they’re providing their crews and ask: Does this actually fit my team? If the answer is no, it’s time to update those catalogs. Conduct fit trials. Ask for worker feedback. Evaluate vendors. There’s no longer an excuse to provide equipment that doesn’t properly protect the people wearing it.
Advocacy matters. Organizations and safety leaders are demanding that women’s safety not be an afterthought. Supporting brands that prioritize PPE that fits female workers sends a message to manufacturers worldwide. Your purchasing decisions influence product development. The more we talk about it, the more momentum we build – and the closer we get to PPE that protects everyone equally.
