General Contractor Guides Vision for Customized Female-Fitting Safety Vests

When it comes to personal protective equipment on construction sites, one size doesn’t fit all. Women shouldn’t be asked to compromise their safety by wearing unisex vests, gloves or goggles that are too large. It’s unsafe and unfair. That’s why Skanska has set out on a mission to help provide new, custom-built PPE for this growing part of its workforce.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the number of women working in construction trades increased by 17.6% between 2017 and 2018. And while PPE designed for a female’s body does exist, it’s not overly popular or widely used. The contractor wanted to change that by offering its female employees better-fitting safety vests and gloves, but took it a step further. Multiple vests were ordered and several project sites and offices were visited to solicit feedback on fit, accessories and material. The direct result of this feedback led to the creation of two customized vests that launched last month, as part of National Construction Safety Week.

After meeting with dozens of employees, the contractor partnered with a leading PPE supplier to create a full line of off-the-shelf personal protective equipment tailored to women that will be available to the entire industry.