PPE Should Fit Everyone: Inclusivity in Protective Clothing

When NASA had to cancel the historic first all-female spacewalk in 2019, it wasn’t due to technical malfunctions or mission risks, it was because of something far more mundane yet deeply telling: they didn’t have enough space suits in the right sizes.

Despite decades of female astronauts contributing to space exploration, the infrastructure around them still hadn’t caught up, a stark reminder of how easily equipment can exclude people simply because of their size or shape.

PPE on Earth Faces the Same Problem

While space suits might not be addressed in the European PPE regulation 2016/425, the parallels to women’s workwear in hazardous industries are impossible to ignore. Across sectors like chemical manufacturing, utilities, and emergency response, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has traditionally been designed with a default wearer in mind… often based on the physical proportions of an average male.

For those who fall outside that default, whether due to gender, body shape, height, or other factors, PPE can become uncomfortable, ineffective, or even dangerous. An ill-fitting suit, glove, or boot can compromise protection, hinder movement, or leave critical areas exposed.

Moving Towards Truly Inclusive PPE: BS 30147

Fortunately, progress is happening. The British Standards Institution (BSI) has developed a new standard, currently in its final draft stage, aimed at tackling exactly this issue. BS 30147 provides guidance to help organisations properly assess and meet the PPE needs of all staff, regardless of gender, size, or body type.

This standard encourages businesses to:

• Carry out thorough assessments of their workforce to understand the diversity of PPE fit
• Work with suppliers who offer inclusive size ranges and custom-fit options.
• Recognise that “one size fits all” is a myth, especially when safety is on the line.

At Respirex, Inclusion is Non-Negotiable

As a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance PPE, Respirex understands that protective clothing is only effective when it fits properly for everyone. Our product development teams work with real-world data and wearer feedback to continually improve the fit and functionality of our suits, boots, and other protective equipment.

We support initiatives like BS 30147 because inclusive PPE isn’t just a tick-box exercise, it’s fundamental to workplace safety, morale, and performance.

Whether you’re walking into an industrial plant or stepping out of an airlock, the principle is the same: if your protective gear doesn’t fit, it doesn’t protect.

Sources:
🔗 Science Friday: The Space Suit Problem
🔗 The Guardian: NASA Cancels All-Female Spacewalk
🔗 BSI Draft Standard BS 30147