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Business
FIT FOR WOMEN
By Tanya Olckers
Women ’ s needs are quite different from men ’ s – especially when it comes to workwear and PPE .
It ’ s been an ongoing theme : where do women find workwear and PPE tailored specifically for them ? While most contracting companies seem to feel that a boiler suit is a boiler suit and a work shoe is a work shoe , the reality is that this is not the case . Women ’ s bodies are different , and these differences need to be accommodated in their workwear not just for their comfort , but for their safety as well .
We have seen a rise in women entering the HVAC contracting field , and indeed , they are making their mark in a profession that has previously been viewed as male dominated . You may even have several women working on your team . Perhaps you are a woman who is running her own contracting business . While a lot of attention is being given to having the right tools and equipment to get HVAC jobs done to a high standard , the need for appropriate clothing and footwear for women has taken a back seat .
Previously , we have been hard pressed to find the right kind of workwear for women . Most female artisans stated that they ‘ made do ’ with what was available for men , or adapted what they had to suit them .
SiSi Safety Wear provide solutions tailored specifically for women and are dedicated not just to provide education to companies regarding women ’ s needs but are committed to providing fit-for-purpose workwear , shoes and fall arrest equipment that ensure the safety of the women on your team . Dr Anette Thompson , a specialist podiatrist and fellow of the
Faculty of Podiatric Medicine , Royal Society of Physicians and Surgeons ( Glasgow ), has worked closely with SiSi to ensure that women get the right footwear for their work that is both fit for their feet and fit for function . She has been involved with the development and design of the footwear , being part of research and development .
The research included taking 3D laser scans of the feet of over 500 women in South Africa , across all cultures . This helped inform the design of the shoes . “ A woman ’ s foot is physiologically different ,” says Dr Thompson , “ Wearing the wrong footwear can lead to falls , injuries and accidents .” But , a shoe is a shoe , right ? Not really . Women ’ s feet swell during pregnancy and during menstruation , which is something that men ’ s feet don ’ t do . Wearing a shoe suited for men won ’ t accommodate these changes . Plus , women who have given birth may find that their shoe size has changed due to ligament changes in their bodies 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 that went into the research to create a work shoe that is fit for women .
Okay , but a shirt is a shirt , and a boiler suit is a boiler suit . Right ? Wrong .
Sleeves on a men ’ s boiler suit or shirt may be too long for women . The answer then is to roll up those sleeves – but then
Images supplied by SiSi Work Wear
Work boots specially designed for women helps prevent accidents . Workwear must accommodate women ’ s comfort and safety .
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RACA Journal I November 2024 www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za