By Jamie-Lee Bishop from Sisi Safety Wear
As South Africa works to reshape its workforce and encourage greater gender inclusivity in traditionally male-dominated trades, more women are stepping into physically demanding roles like mining, plumbing, welding, and construction. According to Statistics South Africa, women now represent 13.2% of the country’s skilled trade workforce, a number that is steadily increasing. While this progress is encouraging, there is still a gap that needs to be addressed which is the availability of properly fitted, gender-specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Jamie-Lee Bishop from SiSi Safety Wear. Supplied by SiSi Safety Wear
For too long, women in trades have had to use standard PPE designed for male bodies — a one-size-fits-all approach that compromises both comfort and safety. This is not just a question of aesthetics or convenience; it is a matter of serious occupational health and safety. Ill-fitting PPE increases the risk of injury, affects productivity, and impacts overall wellbeing both physically and psychologically. Companies should not ignore the psychological impact of ill-fitting PPE in the workplace. Comfort and safety directly influence confidence, and when women are forced to work in gear that does not fit properly, it affects both their performance and morale. A worker who spends her shift adjusting uncomfortable clothing, worrying about safety risks, or feeling self-conscious is unlikely to perform at her best.
In mining work, where physical activity and flexibility are essential, being confident in one’s gear is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Properly designed, gender-specific PPE ensures that women can focus on their job rather than their discomfort, leading to increased productivity, better job satisfaction, and a safer, more inclusive working environment.
Why proper fit matters
PPE is the first line of defence in any hazardous working environments, and for it to be effective it needs to be designed to fit and protect the individual wearing it. Women’s bodies are built differently to men’s bodies in build and proportion, and when PPE does not account for these differences, it can restrict movement, create discomfort, and increase the likelihood of injury.
Poorly fitted footwear, for example, can lead to slips, trips, and falls which remain among the most common causes of workplace injuries. Loose clothing can catch on equipment, while garments that are too tight in areas such as the chest or hips can cause strain and discomfort, making it difficult to move freely and safely. Over time, this can lead to muscle, joint and bone pain, skin irritation, and other health issues that are completely avoidable with properly fitted gear.
Overcoming historical bias in PPE procurement
The slower adoption of gender-specific PPE can largely be traced back to the historical biases that have shaped male-dominated industries for decades. Procurement decisions were driven by convenience and cost-efficiency, with bulk orders of standard, male-designed gear considered the simplest, most practical choice. As a result, the need for female-specific PPE was often overlooked. However, this approach is no longer acceptable in today’s evolving, inclusive work environments. Aside from being outdated, relying on ill-fitting PPE introduces real risks both in terms of workplace safety and legal compliance. More importantly, it sends a clear message that women’s safety and comfort are an afterthought — a message no progressive organisation should be sending in 2025.
Sisi Safety Wear is committed to addressing these challenges head-on. The company’s range of safety wear is specifically tailored for women, offering garments with extra room around the waist and designs that accommodate the unique proportions of female bodies. In addition, Sisi collaborates with research specialists and podiatrists to identify sizes that are suitable for female feet, ensuring a comfortable, safe fit from head to toe.
A call for gender-inclusive PPE policies
Industry leaders and decision-makers need to re-evaluate their PPE procurement policies through a gender-inclusive lens. Properly fitted, purpose-designed safety gear is not a “nice to have” it is a critical safety requirement and a fundamental element of workplace equity.
By ensuring that women in trades are equipped with safety gear designed for their bodies and work environments, companies can improve safety outcomes, support productivity, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. As more women enter skilled trades, these conversations will only become more important and organisations leading the way will help shape a safer, and more inclusive industry for everyone.