Industry diversity is virtually non-existent when it comes to Muslim women – innovative PPE is key to putting that right

It’s no secret. The manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors have a diversity problem. Although it’s slowly rising, the percentage of women working in engineering is a lowly 16.5%, according to EngineeringUK. We’re beginning to make strides, with more firms spearheading efforts to hire and retain more women, and a focus on more inclusive work environments and cultures. But we have a persistent blind spot when it comes to PPE.

For decades PPE has been designed around standardised forms of protection, rather than the suitability for and comfort of the individual. By default, this means PPE continues to be built for the majority – men. Most equipment is therefore unsuitable and unsafe for their women counterparts. It doesn’t fit properly, is uncomfortable to wear, or there’s simply not enough of it to go around.

Comfort is not just about whether clothing fits, it’s also about spiritual and cultural needs. And whilst gender diversity in general is poor in our industry, it’s virtually immeasurable when it comes to Muslim women. The key to improving gender diversity in the construction industry is to make it a more appealing career option for younger people – yet we’re alienating a huge portion of them.

If we don’t put this right, we cannot expect to attract and retain the diverse talent we need for the future success of the industry and economy.

That’s why I set about looking for ways of attracting young Muslim women into the industry based on the challenges I felt and perceived as blockers. As a health and safety coordinator working on Thames Tideway, I spoke to my manager after a colleague was having issues with their PPE and hi-visibility clothing that we required for work on site. I explained that the special ladies’ PPE that we had developed for the project did not suit the modesty clothing code and style. My manager at the time was fully engaged and understanding of my worries. This was crucial.

As a result, I have designed and developed the first hi visibility PPE for female Muslims, the first construction PPE to offer a balance between identity and site uniform. It provides comfort at an individual level for the user whilst not compromising spiritual values.

This is a gateway for female Muslims to remove obstacles that may prevent them entering the industry or progressing in their roles.

I gained the backing and financial support from the Tideway Innovation Forum to develop the concept and obtained engagement from manufacturers. Within a couple of months, my designs were being show-cased at exhibitions across the globe, including the Middle East.

My experience has been rewarding personally, and I hope I’ve been able to help my colleagues along the way. But it’s also taught me things that are applicable to the whole industry.

I now understand how vital it is that manufacturers need to be open to creating equivalent PPE and equipment that is available for men. There are multiple occasions where I have tried to order PPE from a supplier that is only available in men sizes or limited sizes for women.

Sites need to anticipate women on site, and therefore, PPE for women and modesty wear should be available just as male PPE is available. The diverse range of PPE should not be a ‘nice to have’ item or something that appears only on larger infrastructure projects.

Clients have a big role to play too and can influence cultural PPE during the tender process to ensure there is a wide range of suitable equipment for a diverse workforce.

Crucially, employers need to listen to their employees when they come to them with concerns. The backing I got from my boss was essential to my success, both at Tideway and in my current role as an apprentice at Costain

More fundamentally, PPE needs to be part of every organisation’s inclusion strategy. It is a critical part of attracting diverse talent as well as retaining them for the long-term. Costain’s commitment to supporting an inclusive and accessible culture has allowed me to thrive at the start of my career in a sector historically lacking when it comes to diversity.

By Leena Begum, civil engineering apprentice at Costain