Women's Workwear

[Sparky]

Here's an idea. Next time you work for a company where they insist that you are self-employed, go armed with your own fitting and appropriate PPE and charge them for it at the going rate.

[Dinosaur]

Confession to make, most of the gear I wear on site is my own, the company-issued stuff is quite adequate but tends to get used mostly to pack around tools to stop them rattling in the car -doh! Am sure most companies would be more prepared to spend more money on better PPE if people on site looked after it better and bothered returning it afterwards? (ok, so my packing solution is hardly a good example....guilty...)

- but note, some of the really cheap stuff is surprisingly good, a matter of personal research and then asking the management 'this is the same price/cheaper so can I get one of those instead?'. The really cheap waterproof trousers we get issued are surprisingly good (not managed to split them yet), but I've switched the ?30 jacket for a ?20 B&Q high vis bomber jacket that's, amazingly, still waterproof 18 months in and actually keeps the wind out

[BAJR]

I think that is an important point... Treating PPE like PPE. Caring for it in a manor that shows respect for what it is supposed to do. It is like care for tools. Cleaning at the end of the day, washing out buckets, stacking tools, the whole 9 yards. (or is that 8.2296 metres). This is again, where a general level of respect for the profession and a respect for each other comes in. Good confession to make there Dino... and one that should have everyone reading this, looking at themselves and asking the question.... Do I give a damn?

I suspect the more of us that do, the more we, as a group of mud monkeys... start becoming Professional Fieldworkers... if you see what I mean. We stop looking surplus and start looking well kitted out!

I would hope that by teh end of this discussion we can together come back with a list of PPE (essential and optional) and a list of places to get it, with rough ideas on cost.

So... for example (taking Dinos example and endorsement - this is essential to know you are not getting something that will fall apart! )

[ATTACH=CONFIG]500[/ATTACH] Where is the best, how much is it? What sizes? And are their female and male versions.

If we come up with a good list... then all companies can get a copy

MAKE - PRODUCT - SIZES - COST - URL Link - Female Sizes (y/N)

[kevin wooldridge]

Returning to one of my original points for PPE to fit and be fit for purpose surely (within reason) it should be issued afresh every time....What items of PPE (that is Personal Protective Equipment) should staff be given to keep and what equipment should be shared or handed down to the next batch of diggers taken on STC?

I personally would be happy to take a hi-vis vest second hand and a helmet (if it has been cleaned), but less happy with boots and/or waterproofs......

[Dinosaur]

Talking of helmets, anyone know how/if they can be recycled once out of date/damaged? Normal re-cycling places don't seem to be too happy about them. Have got the co. recycling to around 75-80% but they're a bulky annoying exception. Query doesn't really apply to other gear since it rarely comes back anyway...:face-crying:

[Ladygeek]

I just had a look at the Charm and Hammer site and I'm disappointed at the lack of real, practical, useful stuff... there's some stuff like the boots and gloves that could be of use, but other than that it's all embarrassingly patronising - why is everything pink? What's with the flowery chintz boiler suit? And the rhinestone monogramming on stuff? This isnt PPE, it's the most banal form of women's fashion. And it's frankly pretty offensive. Pink rhinestone flower belt buckle anyone?

(Their mission section does claim a genuine wish to highlight real issues about women's PPE in the workplace... but still...)

But cheers for bringing the site to our attention anyway - I am now spurred on to try to find somewhere that does PPE suitable for women (or even just unconventionally shaped people).

[BAJR]

Yup the pink theme makes you think it is not quite understanding the issues!

This is getting there... but perhaps BWA could be of help here.

(British Women Archaeologists)


And as to recycling hard hats. I found this interesting post/rant.

remember: (1) refuse (2) reduce (3) re-use (4) recycle. Recycling is only one better than disposal. In the case of hard-hats there is NO mandatory expiry date, Reduce envirionmental impact by only replacing when worn , e.g. badly scratched, any signs of cracks. Few people would buy a new hard-hat to satisfy shopoholic needs, but for other items beware using recycling as a conscience salve to consumerism.

Is this true? is there no mandatory expiry date ?

But it seems impossible to recycle the blimmin things

[BAJR]

In the HSE discussion... some interesting and often confused discussion..

but this one stand out..

http://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/inovem/...tartRow=11

The date you see in the hard hat IS the date of manufacture. There is no such thing as a life expectancy. In theory if the hard hat is stored in the correct conditions - ie, out of sunlight, in an area with a constant temperature, away from contaminants etc it will last for ever. If on the other hand it is constantly left on the parcel shelf in the back of your car, in direct sunlight, is constantly dropped/knocked etc then the life expectancy will be much shorter.

If you take care of the helmet (as with any piece of equipment) it will last longer. Frequent checks are required to ensure its safety. I would recommend to change the hard hat following any significant impact (even if it doesn't show any real damage).

[Ladygeek]

http://www.sartorialtd.com/

That lot have a women's PPE section, although it is just the men's stuff but in smaller sizes so who knows if they would fit right, proportionally...

[trowelmonkey]

I believe it is illegal to issue used footwear (although this might not apply to galosh-type foot coverings). Wearing used shoes can permanently damage your back, and that's just overlooking all the exciting fungal infections you could inherit. I think that once issued boots become personal property and I don't think that diggers should be asked to pay for them at the end of a project.

I think companies need to be clear on why they want the PPE back and to be realistic about wear and tear. I think it is legitimate to collect all PEE with the company logo in order to protect their commercial image. But PPE has to be in good order if it is to be reissued.

Collecting things just for the sake of collecting things is really petty. What's the point of handing in a pair of split waterproof trousers and a distended glove?

I will accept a used road coat as well, but only if it has been cleaned first. (This can be done very well.)

PPE-wise, I think things have improved a lot in the last ten years. Being on the small side myself, after my first few jobs waiting for weeks for something suitable to be sourced and delivered toward the end of the job, I got proactive. Since then, I've nearly always managed to negotiate either a PPE upfront payment to source things myself or to get PPE my size, even if it is not from the preferred supplier. I've always been pleasant but firm about it and been upfront about what of my PPE needs updating. A good unit will agree to this and a bad one needs a boot somewhere....

What really annoys me is that so much standard builders' PPE is not geared toward anyone who is physically active. So much of the stuff we get is designed for the man with the clipboard, clip on tie and very shiny boots.