New British Standard Urges Employers to Provide Inclusive PPE for All Workers

Employers across the UK are being called on to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) fits all workers properly, following the release of a new national standard aimed at tackling long-standing issues around ill-fitting safety gear.

Published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) on 6 September, BS 30417: Provision of Inclusive Personal Protective Equipment – Guide sets out practical steps for employers to provide PPE that reflects the diversity of the modern workforce — including differences in gender, ethnicity, body shape, age, and disability. The guide is available free of charge.

The move responds to persistent concerns in sectors such as construction, healthcare, and policing, where many workers report being given equipment that does not fit. A recent survey found that 46% of British women issued PPE or uniforms had received items that were the wrong size or design, creating both safety and performance risks.

According to BSI, poorly fitting PPE not only compromises safety but

can also reduce efficiency, lower morale, and increase staff turnover in industries already grappling with skills shortages.

Anne Hayes, BSI’s Director of Sectors and Standards Development, 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 new guidance does not set out manufacturing performance requirements but focuses on selection, purchasing, training, and maintenance to ensure PPE is appropriate for all users. It also highlights how inclusive PPE can support worker health, aid return to work after injury, and boost productivity.

Campaigners have welcomed the move as a major step forward. 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, fairer workplaces, particularly for women and minority workers.

The issue has gained increasing attention in recent years. Reports have surfaced of police officers purchasing their own protective gear due to poor-quality equipment, while construction workers have highlighted difficulties in sourcing modest PPE for Muslim women and hard hats that fit Afro-textured hair.

The launch of BS 30417 follows months of consultation with employers, manufacturers, and industry groups. It forms part of a wider push to improve inclusivity and safety across UK industries, supported by a programme of webinars scheduled for 2026.