The Women's Engineering Society (http://www.wes.org.uk/) have launched a cross-sector survey for women working in science, engineering, technological and construction industries about their experiences of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This from the IFA website:
“Anecdotal reports abound of women carrying multiple pairs of socks on site visits to make too-big boots fit and of having to fight flapping jacket sleeves to use a camera” said Jan Peters, president of the Women’s Engineering Society . “We want to find out just how widespread the problems are so that we can team up with manufacturers to produce well-fitting clothing”.
Women in Property (WIP) national chairman, Joanna Embling, comments “Although the TUC have debated whether women should have to wear high heels as part of work dress codes on health and safety grounds, they have not considered the safety issues involved when women are required to use work clothing provided by employers that is simply too big. There is far too much potential for accidents on construction sites through women tripping over their newly acquired size 10 feet. Women are highly qualified professionals who, not unreasonably, want to work under the same conditions as their male counterparts. Where safety clothing is concerned, they are at a distinct disadvantage.”
“This is a serious issue” says Niki Luscombe, CEO of Women and Manual Trades, “Safety clothing should be just that – clothing that helps workers to stay safe on construction sites. Instead, for many women it is something that can make them work less efficiently, and in some cases, actually compromise their safety”.
Women and Manual Trades (WAMT), the Association of Women in Property (WIP) and now the BWA are inviting women to fill in a short survey and contribute their stories.
If a number of archaeologists complete the survey, perhaps our needs will be heard and it could help to make a difference. The survey provides opportunity to list archaeology as your profession (under other - specified), and also to note your British Women Archaeologists membership/affiliation.
Fill in the survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=D1gwLY_2bFZqi8SaaKSbJwDQ_3d_3d
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