Women’s PPE Advocacy
Steel Blue’s advocacy campaign successfully pushed OSHA to update PPE language in its Construction standards, requiring “proper fitting” gear instead of generic, bulk-bought items. This change drove employer behavior and increased demand for women-specific PPE, boosting safety and sales.
Challenge:
Women in construction were being sidelined by ill-fitting personal protective equipment (PPE). Most employers opted for “unisex” or “one-size-fits-all” gear to cut costs, overlooking safety and comfort for women on job sites. The outdated OSHA regulation only required PPE to be provided, not for it to fit properly, leaving room for poor purchasing practices that disproportionately impacted female tradies.
Solution:
Steel Blue launched an advocacy campaign to push for more inclusive and specific language in OSHA’s Construction PPE regulations. The campaign raised awareness of the “shrink it and pink it” problem and united industry leaders, safety advocates, and female tradeswomen in a coordinated effort to demand change. With strategic messaging, social media amplification, and industry partnerships, the campaign made a strong case for regulation updates.
Outcome:
Steel Blue’s advocacy campaign successfully pushed OSHA to update PPE language in its Construction standards, requiring “proper fitting” gear instead of generic, bulk-bought items. This change drove employer behavior and increased demand for women-specific PPE, boosting safety and sales.
