Wrong-sized personal protective kit a risk


A one-size-fits-all approach to personal protective equipment (PPE) and emergency equipment is putting seafarers’ health and safety at risk, according to women members of the maritime union Nautilus. 


Jessica Tyson warned a recent Nautilus conference that a lot of PPE is manufactured to traditional specifications, meaning that it is often not suitable for the increasing number of women seafarers. And Samantha Belfitt, seconding a motion on the issue, reported that she had to wear size 10 fire boots when her shoe size is four. 


Moving the motion, Tyson stressed that the issue is not one that only affects women. “If you are tall or short, and the equipment does not fit properly, it can be dangerous as you are not able to focus on the job you are meant to be doing,” she said. “We are all different and there should be some understanding of this in the equipment that we have.” 


The conference unanimously supported a motion calling for PPE suppliers to design and provide equipment that is fit for purpose and suitable for all seafarers. 


https://www.nautilusint.org/en/what-we-say/nautilus-news/ill-fitting-ppe-a-threat-to-our-health-and-safety