Employers across all sectors are being urged to provide properly fitting personal protective equipment (PPE) for all workers, following the launch of a long-awaited British safety standard.
BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment – Guide, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) on 6 September, sets out practical recommendations to ensure PPE accommodates a workforce diverse in gender, ethnicity, body shape, age and disability.
The guidance, which is available free of charge, aims to tackle a longstanding issue in UK workplaces, particularly in construction, healthcare and policing.
A recent study found that 46 per cent of British women who had been issued PPE or uniforms had received items that did not fit properly.
Poorly fitting PPE has been linked to safety risks, reduced performance, and higher turnover in sectors already affected by labour shortages, according to the BSI.
The new standard offers evidence-based steps to help employers reduce risks, meet legal obligations, and improve staff recruitment and retention by ensuring PPE is inclusive by design and provision.
Anne Hayes, director of sectors and standards development at BSI, said: “The provision of inclusive protective equipment is not just a matter of compliance, it is a matter of respect, dignity and safety for every individual in the workforce.”
The standard follows months of consultation with manufacturers, employers and campaigners, and builds on growing pressure for inclusive workwear in the construction sector.
Katy Robinson, founder of the PPE Campaign and senior project manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, described the launch as a “pivotal step” towards safer workplaces, especially for women and minority workers.
BS 30417 does not specify manufacturing performance requirements but focuses on the selection, purchasing, training and maintenance of PPE to ensure fit for all users.
The document also highlights how inclusive PPE can support long-term health, return to work after absence, and productivity.
Its publication comes amid reports of workers – including Scottish police officers – buying their own gear due to poor-quality or unsuitable kit. Similar issues have been raised in construction, where Muslim women have faced difficulties sourcing modest PPE and workers with Afro-textured hair have struggled to find appropriately fitting hard hats.
The standard forms part of wider efforts to improve inclusion and safety across UK industry and is supported by a series of upcoming webinars scheduled for 2026.
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Colin Marrs