Women are often under-represented in technical industries, and particularly in South Africa’s power and energy sectors. According to Desiree Hlubi, Brand Manager at Sisi Safety Wear, in the coal sector, women account for just 21% of the workforce, and the figure is only marginally higher in the electrical utility industry. In South Africa’s renewable energy sector, women currently make up only 14% of the labour pool, although Hlubi notes that this is changing, as the sector, being relatively new, is not ‘tradition bound’ like many industries are. And despite entrenched gender stereotypes and industry practices, more women are pursuing careers across various industrial sectors. Initiatives that focus on women’s empowerment and skills development have played a role in this trend, yet there is still work to be done to make industrial sectors more inclusive and accessible for women, Hlubi says.
She highlights that a typical example of this is in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A seemingly inconsequential consideration, but one that can make a big difference in enabling women to reach their full potential in traditionally male-dominated working environments.
Gender equality in the workplace does not mean treating everyone the same; rather, it means treating everyone equally and fairly. With regard to PPE, the physiological differences between men and women call for the provision of gender-specific PPE.
Fit-for-purpose PPE
Personal protective equipment is critical in industries where high voltage arc flash can occur. The sudden release of electrical energy due to a breakdown between conductors and formation of a high voltage gap can create an explosion, with intense heat, force, noise, and light, and temperatures as high as 20 000ºC. The intense heat and flames can lead to fatal burns – but that risk can be greatly reduced by following strict health and safety practices and wearing the correct PPE.
Hlubi makes the point that simply purchasing inherently flame-resistant arc flash safety wear in smaller men’s sizes is not the solution for women working in such environments. Such specialised garments are made with specific fabrics, seams and construction and undergo extensive testing and certification and they cannot be altered outside of the manufacturer’s specifications.
PPE for women is often an afterthought. Women working in industrial roles involving high voltage equipment are usually given the same PPE as men, just in smaller sizes or they are provided with ‘unisex’ PPE. Hlubi emphasises that it is not only the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe working environment, but also their duty to ensure the provided PPE is tailored for its intended use. Delivering the necessary level of protection to match the risk presented is not always possible when women are given safety wear designed to protect men.
Meeting the needs of a diverse workforce
Hlubi says to fulfil their obligations in respect of health and safety, procurement managers and safety officers must prioritise providing PPE that meets the needs of each member of their workforce. This is particularly important in hazardous environments where PPE is potentially the last line of defence between life and death. It is essential that women be provided with PPE that properly caters to the female form so they are afforded the same measure of protection against workplace risks as their male colleagues – without the need to compromise on comfort.
For more information visit: https://www.sisi.co.za