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Access to properly fitting personal protective equipment for female construction workers.

Authors
Onyebeke LC; Papazaharias DM; Freund A; Dropkin J; McCann M; Sanchez SH; Hashim D; Meyer JD; Lucchini RG; Zuckerman NC
Source
Am J Ind Med 2016 Nov; 59(11):1032-1040
Link
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22624
NIOSHTIC No.
20048265
Abstract
Background: Previous literature suggests that most personal protective equipment (PPE) for construction is designed for males and does not accommodate female anthropometry. We conducted a pilot study to identify whether female construction workers currently have adequate access to properly fitting PPE. Methods: Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with union female carpenters, laborers, and ironworkers. Researchers coded focus group transcriptions and extracted major themes using thematic framework analysis. Results: Participants (n=23) had a mean of 15.1 years of construction experience (range 3-34.5 years). A majority reported fit problems for many types of PPE (gloves, harnesses, safety vests, work boots, outerwear), generally noting that the equipment provided by contractors was too large. Other emergent themes included female workers purchasing their own PPE, exposure to various safety hazards from poorly fitted PPE, and perceived indifferent safety culture. Conclusions: Female construction workers continue to have difficulty accessing properly fitting PPE.
Keywords
Personal protective equipment; Women; Construction workers; Construction; Construction industry; Safety equipment; Human factors engineering; Anthropometry; Equipment design; Fit testing; Gender factors; Gloves; Harnesses; Protective clothing; Protective equipment; Footwear; Author Keywords: focus groups; construction industry; female; anthropometry; safety
Contact
Demetrios M. Papazaharias, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1057, New York, NY 10029
CODEN
AJIMD8
Publication Date
20161101
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
demetrios.papazaharias@mssm.edu
Funding Type
Grant
Fiscal Year
2017
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-T42-OH-008422
Issue of Publication
11
ISSN
0271-3586
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
State
NY; NJ
Performing Organization
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division