SHP is interviewing speakers featuring at our partner show, Anticipate London – combining Safety and Health Expo, FIREX, Facilities Show and IFSEC for cross-industry sharing, between 2-4 December 2024.
In this article, we speak to Dr. Debbie Janson, an academic at Bath University, and a former engineer, who advocates for inclusive PPE. A supporter of SHP’s Inclusive PPE campaign, Debbie has carried out and continues to undertake pioneering research on the topic and will be part of Safety and Health Expo’s Inclusive PPE Zone, at Anticipate London.
Debbie Janson
Debbie Janson (DJ): I think inclusivity in general has come to the fore over the last few years, and PPE is a huge part of this. In my time in industry, we spent so much effort trying to get women into male-heavy industries, but when they arrived, we effectively dressed them in men’s clothes and expected them to get on with it. It’s hardly surprising that we historically haven’t been able to retain women in these roles. So I think companies have gotten wise to it and realised they have to act. And on top of that, there are a growing number of activists out there that are really getting the message out to women that men’s PPE (and unisex PPE) is not appropriate, and empowering them to push back. The movement is growing and it’s finally become part of the wider and accepted conversation..
DJ: I think a lot of it comes down to the overall culture of the organisation. Making the decision to provide inclusive PPE is one thing, but bringing the people that are responsible for the procurement and actually making it happen, is another thing. Finding PPE for women, for example, can take longer. You may need to consider new suppliers, or give your workforce space to try and return items over again until they’re right. Things like this take more time up front, for people who are often already stretched. So allowing those people to understand the impact on the people they are buying for is crucial.
DJ: I hope I can help the audience understand the positive impact of providing PPE that fits and is appropriate. It’s not just about the functional fit, it’s how it affects people on a day to day basis, and also about instilling a sense of belonging – being part of the team in every sense.
DJ: Ultimately, we need policy change. Currently standards and regulations are not worded well enough to ensure that PPE is properly fitted to the person using it. Culturally, we have a very long way to go. There are so many other aspects to PPE provision that occur as a consequence of it not fitting. Women get laughed at, or told they look like they’re wearing their dad’s clothes, for example. People’s confidence and sense of belonging are reduced, they are hampered in their daily work, or are even in pain, yet still, inclusive PPE isn’t high on the agenda. Ticking a box on PPE is no longer enough
To sign up to attend Anticipate London, click here.
