Closing the PPE Equity Gap

Amy Roosa on Women’s PPE and Workplace Safety

In the debut episode of Conversations with MOXY, host Natasha Ozybko talks with Amy Roosa, a safety professional with two decades of experience and the founder of The Safety Rack. The conversation centers on the critical "equity gap" in personal protective equipment (PPE) and how Roosa is working to transform the industry.

The Birth of an Advocate

Amy Roosa’s journey into the niche of women’s PPE was "accidental". Having spent nearly 20 years in safety, her perspective shifted after co-founding the Midwest Women in Safety Conference. What began as a plan for a small gathering of 30 women resulted in over 60 attendees voicing shared frustrations regarding a lack of access to gear that actually fit. Roosa realized she had been complacent, accepting distributor excuses that "unisex" gear was the only option.

The Safety Rack: Testing for Reality

Roosa launched The Safety Rack to buy, wear, and "test the crap out of" women's workwear to see how it moves on a real body. Unlike traditional marketing that uses "skinny models," Roosa provides reviews on a body that mirrors the average worker. Her testing team now includes specialized professionals, such as a tower climber and a welder.

The Economics of Equity

A significant portion of the iAnterview focuses on the "Pink Tax" in the industrial sector. Because many employers refuse to source or reimburse women’s PPE, female workers often buy their own gear out of pocket. Ozybko points out the staggering legal and human costs of workplace injuries—millions of dollars for a lost life—that could be avoided by investing in properly fitting gear.

Changing the Perception

Roosa prefers the term "male-populated" over "male-dominated". She argues that women are a vital, existing part of the industry, not a novelty. The goal is to move away from "shrink it and pink it". Roosa and Ozybko agree that pink gear can be stigmatizing, sometimes used on job sites as a marker for "loaner" gear. The goal is for women to be recognized as the best welder or plumber because their gear allows them to focus.

A Call to Action

Roosa challenges C-suite leaders to "walk the plant" and talk to their workers. She notes that leaders often focus on P&Ls without realizing the domino effect that poorly fitting PPE has on confidence and safety. Her final advice to the men in the audience is to use your voice. Advocates and allies have a stronger position to demand the change needed to ensure worker retention.