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ISEA briefs OSHA advisory committee on the availability of PPE for women in construction.
12/09/2009
The OSHA Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) has established a working group to address issues unique to women in construction. High on its agenda is concern about the fit, design and choice of personal protective equipment for women, an issue the committee asked ISEA to address.
ISEA president Dan Shipp and public affairs director Dan Glucksman met with the working group in Washington on December 9, and presented an overview of ISEA members' product offerings specifically designed for women. They pointed out specific examples of safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, fall protection harnesses, hearing protectors, respirators and high-visibility apparel that is distinctly sized and styled with women workers in mind.
"ISEA and PPE manufacturers have long been sensitive to the need to provide equipment designed for women workers," Shipp told the committee. He cited an exhibition of PPE for women workers organized by the association in 1993 for a union-sponsored womens' conference.
Shipp reminded the committee that PPE selection is the responsibility of the employer, and that the OSHA general industry standards require that employers provide "PPE that properly fits each affected employee." He urged the committee to try to get equivalent language in the OSHA construction standards for PPE.
ISEA and the ACCSH will continue to explore ways to work together to promote the availability of PPE for women, in construction as well as other occupations, and encourage its use in the workplace.