Beyond the Basics – Redefining Women’s Workwear for Safety, Comfort and Performance

The industrial workplace has long operated under the assumption that one-size-fits-all safety gear adequately protects all workers. For decades, women have been forced to navigate hazardous environments wearing workwear designed exclusively with male body proportions in mind, a critical oversight that compromises both safety and performance. Today, a quiet revolution is transforming workplace design, challenging long-standing design assumptions and prioritizing the unique ergonomic needs of women across industries.

We connected with Jennifer Towe, Product Manager for Workwear & Foot Protection at PIP Global Safety, who sits at the forefront of this transformation. With a deep understanding of product development and workplace safety, she's actively developing solutions that address the nuanced challenges women face in demanding work environments.

Are current safety standards truly addressing women’s workwear needs, what updates are still needed?

Current safety standards have improved in addressing women's workwear needs, but there are still critical gaps that need to be addressed to ensure full inclusivity, comfort and protection. Many standards still fail to adequately account for differences in body shape, size and fit between men and women, which can lead to poor-fitting and ineffective clothing for female workers.

Historically, safety standards were developed around male body proportions, making protective equipment uncomfortable or even unsafe for women. In practice, this means women are often forced to wear ill-fitting work clothes that creates safety hazards, such as loose-fitting garments that can get caught in machinery. Sizing typically defaults to a "small, medium, large" model, which doesn't account for key differences in women's body proportions. These differences significantly impact both comfort and protection. For example, women's different chest-to-waist ratios, hip measurements and limb proportions all affect how workwear functions in real working conditions.

OSHA's new rule mandating that all PPE must "properly fit" each affected employee addresses long-standing concerns, particularly among women and those with diverse body types. While this is a step forward, the industry must continue to ensure PPE clothing isn’t just available but also functional and effective for women in the workforce.

Beyond just scaling down from men’s sizing, what key design factors improve fit, comfort and mobility in work clothes for women?

Designing women's work clothes is more than scaling down men's sizing. It requires a fundamental shift in approach to accommodate anatomical differences while maintaining performance and protection.

Women typically have narrower shoulders, shorter torso lengths, and different hip-to-waist ratios compared to men. Clothing designed with these anatomical variations in mind will ensure better fit, improved comfort and enhanced protection. When clothing is properly contoured to a woman's body, it enhances mobility, reduces fatigue and allows for better performance throughout the workday.

For example, all Bisley women's work pants feature waistbands that follow the natural contour of the waist. This thoughtful design element minimizes gapping at the back when bending over, resulting in a snug and comfortable fit that stays in place during movement. Beyond function, this ensures a secure fit while also preventing distractions that could impact safety.

Fabric selection is equally important in women's workwear design. Stretch materials and ergonomic tailoring allow clothing to move with the wearer rather than restricting movement, which is essential for both comfort and safety.

What industry-specific challenges have women highlighted, and how have we worked to address them?

Workwear hasn’t always been designed with women in mind. For years, women in industrial jobs have had to make do with oversized, ill-fitting gear originally designed for men. Not only is that uncomfortable, but it can also be a serious safety risk. We have listened to women in the field and taken real steps to address these issues.

Some of the most common complaints we get are about:

• Oversized High-Visibility Clothing: When high-visibility clothing is too big, it’s more than just annoying—it can get caught in machinery, make lifting heavy loads harder, and even block visibility in crucial moments.
• Cold Weather Gear Bulkiness: Extra bulk in winter gear might keep you warm, but if it’s not designed for a woman’s frame, it can cause fatigue and slow you down.
• Unisex Sizing in Male-Dominated Fields: In male-dominated industries like mining, where women make up only about 15% of the workforce, clothing, gloves and boots often come in unisex sizes. The problem is that unisex usually means “made for men.”
• Gender-Neutral Solutions: Some women prefer gear that blends in with what their male colleagues are wearing because safety shouldn’t make anyone feel singled out.

To address these issues, we have used this feedback to develop PPE clothing, designed specifically for women. Our approach includes:

• Tailored Fit & Design: Creating safety gear that accommodates women’s body shapes while maintaining compliance with safety standards.
• Industry-Specific Adjustments: Incorporating feedback from female workers to refine designs, ensuring that workwear enhances, rather than hinders, their performance.
• Comprehensive Product Range: Expanding our women’s PPE clothing line to offer options that balance functionality, comfort and durability, from high-visibility clothing to properly sized safety boots.

   

What we've learned through this process is that properly fitting PPE doesn't just improve safety, it sends a message of recognition and inclusion. When women have access to workwear designed with their needs in mind, it acknowledges their contribution to the workforce. This sentiment was echoed during the 2024 ASSP Safety Show, where at the WISE fashion show, one participant noted:

"One of the kindest, most inclusive things we can do as employers is to make sure PPE fits,”

- Sarah Bogner, Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) Model

What’s next for women’s PPE, and how are we leading the way?

Women's PPE is entering a transformative phase, driven by increased female participation and a growing recognition of the critical need for properly fitting safety gear, and PIP is responding to specific workplace needs. Rather than retrofitting existing designs, we are developing PPE from the ground up to truly address the realities of women's work environments.

To lead the industry forward, we're taking a comprehensive approach to:

• Innovate: We're creating cutting-edge solutions specifically designed for women's bodies, with gloves featuring adjusted widths and lengths, softer materials that maintain protection for smaller hands, and ear plugs engineered for smaller ear canals.
• Collaborate: By partnering with women's safety advocacy organizations, we're amplifying voices and accelerating meaningful change across workplaces.
• Educate: Our resources and training programs help employers and workers understand why proper PPE fit isn't just about comfort—it's essential for effective protection.
• Advocate: We're actively pushing for updated industry standards that recognize inclusive design as a safety imperative, not just a preference.

As the industry evolves, more companies are prioritizing women's workwear innovations ranging from tailored fits to practical features like drop-back waist zip coveralls and maternity PPE. Our Puma Safety line exemplifies this commitment with women's-specific models featuring half sizes for better arch support, heel fit, and all-day comfort. While some PPE categories remain unisex, ongoing feedback will continue to shape how these products best serve all workers with a renewed focus on inclusive design, improved sizing and true comfort and safety for everyone.

Discover our full range of women’s PPE clothing designed for safety and comfort.