HEALTH AND SAFETY • brought on by the birthing process . Women ’ s gait , posture and centre of gravity are also different , and this in turn affects the design of the shoe . These were all factors considered in the research to create a work shoe fit for women . Thompson explains , “ Properly fitting safety boots are essential not only for preventing immediate workplace accidents but also for ensuring long-term foot health and overall well-being . Ill-fitting gear can lead to discomfort , fatigue and even injury .”
Okay , but a shirt is a shirt , and a boiler suit is a boiler suit . Right ?
Wrong .
Sleeves on a man ’ s boiler suit or shirt may be too long for women . The answer then is to roll up those sleeves – but then women lose out on the protection that the suit is supposed to provide . If the sleeve rolls down , they could get caught in machinery , which could then lead to injury to the wearer .
The wrong clothing and footwear could impede a woman ’ s productivity and ability to do her job . Desiree Hlubi , Sisi Safety Wear brand manager at BBF Group comments , “ We are committed to setting improvement in safety wear by focusing on the unique needs of female workers . It ’ s not just about meeting safety requirements ; it ’ s about ensuring comfort and well-being , which ultimately boosts productivity , health and morale .”
If you consider that overalls , workwear , PPE and footwear are meant to provide some kind of protection to the worker , the magnitude of the issue becomes clear . Collars are designed for men ’ s necks and shirts and boiler suits are designed to accommodate the male anatomy and do not accommodate changes in women ’ s bodies such as pregnancy .
By overlooking women ’ s needs as far as workwear is concerned , we risk undoing the progress that we are making through the integration and diversity in the sector . Transformation and being future-fit is a major theme for the industry this year , and that extends to something that seems as simple as providing women with the right attire for their jobs . As Hlubi says , “ These are conversations that we should have had in the ‘ 50s and ‘ 60s . Why are we still having to talk about this in 2024 ?”
We have seen a rise in women entering the mining sector , and indeed , they are making their mark in a profession that has previously been viewed as male dominated . What are you doing to ensure that the women in your team are ‘ covered ’ when it comes to safety ?
Both Dr Thompson and Hlubi are determined to provide education on women ’ s work attire to bring about change in all industries – this is not just a mining specific challenge . If you employ women , this is your chance to help bring about change for the better and improve the safety standards you provide for your female staff . •
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • January 2025 • 53